Income and living conditions of the population of Lithuania
(edition 2023)

Absolute poverty rate

 


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Absolute poverty rate is calculated according to the same methodology as the at-the-risk-of poverty rate, while the method and size of calculation of the poverty threshold differs. Absolute poverty threshold refers to the amount of minimum consumption needs calculated by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania every year.

In 2022, absolute poverty threshold was EUR 267 per month for a person living alone, and EUR 561 – for a family composed of two adults and two children aged under 14 (in 2021, EUR 260 and 546 respectively).

In 2022, absolute poverty rate stood at 3.8 per cent, i.e. about 107 thousand residents were living below the absolute poverty threshold. In urban areas, 3.3 per cent of population (in five major cities – 2.6 per cent, in other cities and towns – 4.4 per cent) received disposable income below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold, in rural areas – 4.9 per cent.

Compared to 2021, absolute poverty rate in the country decreased by 0.1 percentage points, over five years – 10 percentage points.

The absolute poverty rate for children under 18  was lower than that for  persons of working or retirement age. In 2022, it stood at 2.6 per cent and, compared to 2021, decreased by 1.3 percentage points.


Absolute poverty rate by age group, 2018–2022

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The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

 

1.1 per cent of employed persons, 24.2 per cent of unemployed persons and 3.8 per cent of retired persons were living below absolute poverty threshold. Compared to 2021, the absolute poverty rate of employed and unemployed persons remained almost unchanged, that of retired persons increased by 1.6 percentage points.

Absolute poverty rate in households with children accounted for 2.6 per cent in 2022 and, compared to 2021, decreased by 0.9 percentage points. In households without children, the absolute poverty rate increased by 0.6 percentage points over the year and accounted for 4.8 per cent in 2022. In terms of household composition, single-person households (8.1 per cent) and households consisting of one adult with dependent children were the most common groups in absolute poverty (absolute poverty rate – 6.7 per cent).


For further terms, see the Dictionary of Statistical Terms.