Poverty rate in Georgia increases by 150%

The UNICEF Survey on the Welfare of the Population 2017 says that over the last two years, the share of households and population below the relative poverty line in Georgia increased from 20.7% to 22.5% and from 23.1% to 24.8%, respectively.

The survey revealed that 22.5% of households live below the relative poverty line with amarked difference between rural and urban areas (24.1% vs. 20.9%).

The percentage of children living in poor households increased from 26.8% to 31.6%. The share of pensioners under the relative poverty line also rose from 19.3% to 20.4%. An estimated 24.1% of households live below the relative poverty line in rural areas and 20.9% in urban areas, the survey says.

"Children still remain the most vulnerable group in Georgia’s society,” Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Representative in Georgia, said.

"To reduce child poverty a comprehensive social protection system is needed and child benefits should be expanded in amount and in coverage. At the same time family support services and child care needs to be expanded in Georgia to support families with children," Agenda.ge cited her as saying.