Georgia's Deputy Minister of Economy Vakhtang Tsintsadze said poverty levels had reached “historic lows” in the country.
"In just one year, [the figures] decreased by 3.8%, lifting approximately 140,000 people out of poverty. Looking at the data over a three-year period, more than 350,000 people have been lifted out of poverty”, Vakhtang Tsintsadze said.
The Deputy Minister attributed the reduction in poverty to the Government's “correct and consistent” economic policies and said it was driven by “robust economic growth” and “targeted social initiatives”.
Tsintsadze added the domestic economy was expected to continue to grow “in the years ahead”, which he said would further contribute to decline of poverty and enhance the purchasing power of the population.
The share of the population living below the absolute poverty line in Georgia decreased by 3.8% points in 2023 compared to the previous year, to 11.8%, the National Statistics Office of the country said.
According to the body, the absolute poverty rate in urban areas decreased by 2.9% points to 9.4% while in rural areas it decreased by 5% points to 15.6%.
The Office said the absolute poverty rates for women decreased by 3.9% to 11.5%, while for men it went down by 3.7% to 12.2%.
