Subsistence minimum for working-age male amounted to GEL 250.9 in September 2023, which was GEL 2.6 less compared to the same period of the last year, - show data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).
As for the change of subsistence minimum y-o-y, the subsistence minimum increased by GEL 2.3 in April 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year.
Generally, the subsistence minimum is related to inflation, with the decrease in inflation, the mentioned index also decreases.
In September 2023, the annual inflation level amounted to 0.7%.
The subsistence minimum is calculated in Georgia since 1997. It was this year that Parliament passed a law that is still in force today. According to the law, the subsistence minimum is a social guideline used to determine the minimum amount of salaries, pensions, scholarships, allowances and other social benefits. Consequently, its amount has a significant political and social meaning.
The subsistence minimum is calculated through a special food basket, which was determined by the order of the Minister of Health on May 8, 2003. Moreover, the subsistence minimum is the only indicator of the value of food.
The subsistence minimum does not include the cost of utility bills, transportation costs and many other costs that all people have to pay. The current system is based solely on the value of food.
