Poverty in Poland

there are various definitions of poverty.

The most extreme form according to the ministry of

labour and social affairs is when income is sufficient only for food

drinking water and reasonable accommodation. In order to achieve

the above a person needs a monthly income of 671 PLN and a couple

with one child will need a monthly income of 1663 PLN.

5% of poles are below that standard. It means about 2 million Poles

cannot reach the above standard and are in need of some subsistence.

Another criteria is that a family cannot reach an income equivalent to half

the expenditure of an average Polish family. In that category you will find

125- 13% of Poles meaning close to 5 million Poles

A third definition is what is called social poverty. meaning you can afford

some" luxuries " beyond the bare necessities like going once in six months

to cinema or the theater purchasing a monthly transportation ticket.

in that category you will find 35% of Poles.

The sector most prone to poverty is as usual everywhere, the farming sector.

on individual basis you expect to find old people living by their pensions.

The surprise is that among the very poor there is a predominance of

families with children some of them working families.

After joining the E.U the number of families below the most severe criteria have

diminished from 9% to 5% in other criteria the numbers are the same.

Having said the above due to the fact that as of 1.1.2023 Minimum wage

in Poland will reach 3,490 PLN the numbers above should be read with some

caution.