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workmen. Newer units, usually prefabricated apartments, are of lower quality, smaller, and have long waiting lists for occupancy. To obviate the persistent housing shortage the regime has quietly encouraged individual construction of one-family houses. Rents are strictly regulated and are considerably below those in West Germany, with the result that a smaller part of family income is spent on housing. Utilities have been improved and expanded steadily following years of neglect. The population is generally well provided with water and electricity; supplies of fuel for heating are generally adequate, although there are sporadic shortages.

The demand for domestic, repair, and personal services, such as barbers and seamstresses, is high, but their availability has declined. Perhaps the most interesting development in recent years has been the increase in income available for leisure time activities. To satisfy the demand created by this income, the regime has opened numerous vacation resorts and negotiated with the other Eastern European states to achieve freer movement of tourist traffic (Figure 18)

'''FIGURE 17. Levels of living in selected countries'''

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110024-7