Russians have determined the minimum amount of accommodation

The Russians have estimated the minimum amount they need to stay in 22,7 thousand rubles (360 dollars) per month. Results of the corresponding sociological survey published on the VTsIOM website.

As follows from the survey, residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg estimate the cost of the most modest life a little higher - about 25 thousand rubles (almost 400 dollars) per month.

In cities with a population of over one million people, the respondents estimated the minimum cost of living in 22,5 thousands of rubles, and in the villages - a little more than 17 thousand rubles (268 dollars) per month.

Above all, the cost of living in their village was estimated by residents of cities with a population of one hundred to five hundred thousand people. They need at least 27 thousand rubles a month (427 dollars) to live.

Respondents also answered the question of what monthly income per family member should be considered a sign of poverty. According to the respondents, people who receive less than 11 thousand rubles per month (174 dollars) can be considered poor.

The number of poor is growing

The government of Russia in the first quarter of this year raised the level of the subsistence minimum in the country by a half thousand rubles (a little more than 20 dollars). Nevertheless, the subsistence minimum in Russia is still below the level that the respondents called the poverty line. Now it is set at about 9,5 thousand rubles (150 dollars).

Rosstat recently estimated at 23 a million people the number of Russians living below the poverty line. The ministry noted that this is about 16% of the total population of the country. At the same time, Rosstat considers the level of subsistence minimum as the poverty line.

According to the statistical agency, the number of Russians, whose incomes do not reach this bar, in the first quarter of this year increased by three million people compared to the same period last year. The ministry did not specify what exactly led to this result.

The Russian authorities recognize that the country's economy is declining amid falling oil prices, rising rates of major currencies against the ruble, and sanctions imposed on Moscow because of the conflict in Ukraine.

In addition, the analytical center under the Russian government believes that the food embargo on some foreign products has led to a sharp jump in prices and lower product quality.