Russia will raise its subsistence minimum to 18,939 rubles in 2026. The draft federal budget sets different amounts for specific groups: 20,644 rubles for working-age citizens, 16,288 rubles for pensioners and 18,371 rubles for children. The 2025 subsistence minimum stands at 17,733 rubles, representing a nearly 15 percent increase from the prior year.
The government uses this benchmark to calculate social payments and benefits, as well as to define poverty thresholds. Officials have based the calculation on median income across the Russian Federation since 2021 rather than consumer basket costs. This approach links the metric directly to actual national earnings.
The government uses this benchmark to calculate social payments and benefits, as well as to define poverty thresholds. Officials have based the calculation on median income across the Russian Federation since 2021 rather than consumer basket costs. This approach links the metric directly to actual national earnings.
