Subsistence minimum in Russia by year

20 644 rubles per month, в том числе по социально-демографическим группам населения — 2026 +1 315 to в том числе по социально-демографическим группам населения — 2025

The subsistence minimum is an estimate of how much money a person needs per month for essentials. It determines benefits, pension supplements, and the poverty threshold. The calculation method has changed over the years: until 2021, the minimum was adjusted quarterly based on the cost of a consumer basket, i.e., prices for a specific set of goods, products, and services. Since 2021, it has been set annually in advance and tied to the median per capita income — the income level above and below which half of the population earns. The table below shows the value per capita for Russia as a whole; separate groups, such as children and pensioners, have their own subsistence minimums, which differ significantly.

Over thirteen years, the minimum increased from 7,306 to 18,939 rubles, i.e., 2.6 times. Comparing this growth directly with wage growth is not accurate: the minimum is adjusted by decision, not by market forces, and in some years it was raised significantly faster than prices — for example, between 2024 and 2025, it increased by 15 percent at once.

There is no 2022 value for the subsistence minimum in the Rosstat table. This is not a data loss during extraction: the original source lacks a row for this year, and we present the series as published.

Regions have their own subsistence minimums: regional authorities set them based on local prices, resulting in a twofold variation across territories. The national value serves as a benchmark for federal payments, not as the basis for local benefits.

Table by year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the subsistence minimum in Russia in 2026?

For the population as a whole, it is 18,939 rubles per month. Values differ for working-age population, pensioners, and children: the minimum for working individuals is higher than the national average, while for pensioners it is lower.

How does the subsistence minimum differ from the minimum wage?

The subsistence minimum is an estimate of the cost of living; it is used to calculate benefits and the poverty threshold. The minimum wage is the lowest salary an employer can legally pay. These are different indicators with different purposes, although both are adjusted annually, and the minimum wage cannot be lower than the subsistence minimum.

Why is the subsistence minimum different in my region?

Regional authorities set the local subsistence minimum based on the national value and local prices. It is significantly higher in the North and Far East, and lower in the Black Earth and Volga regions. The dataset used for this page includes values for each federal subject.

How is the subsistence minimum related to the poverty level?

Until 2021, people with incomes below the subsistence minimum were considered poor. Since then, the poverty threshold has been decoupled from the subsistence minimum: it was set at the end-2020 base level and is adjusted for inflation. Thus, since 2021, these are two different thresholds and do not necessarily coincide.

Sources

• ВЕЛИЧИНА ПРОЖИТОЧНОГО МИНИМУМА в целом по Российской Федерации
• ВЕЛИЧИНА ПРОЖИТОЧНОГО МИНИМУМА на душу населения и по основным социально-демографическим группам населения в целом по Российской Федерации и по субъектам Российской Федерации

More on the topic

• Per capita monthly income of the population by constituent entities of the Russian Federa…
• Ratio of average per capita cash income of the population to the subsistence minimum in t…
• Basic social guarantees under the legislation of the Russian Federation
• Social security benefit rates as a % of the subsistence minimum
• Real disposable personal income by constituent entities of the Russian Federation, in % o…
• Number of pensioners and average size of assigned pensions by type
• All sets of section «Уровень жизни»

By regions

• Subsistence minimum by regions of Russia
• Subsistence minimum for a pensioner by regions of Russia
• Subsistence minimum per child by regions of Russia
• Subsistence minimum of the working-age population by regions of Russia

See also

• Poverty level in Russia by year
• Average salary in Russia by year
• Inflation in Russia by year