Minimum wage of the five-member family was GEL 378 in September. According to economists and financiers, National Statistics Office of Georgia calculates this number with a methodology approved by the Government in 2003 and does not reflect reality.
The minimum wage is an indicator of the value of food. The minimum wage does not include the cost of utility tariffs, transport and the cost of many other spendings that people have.
"The average cost of living in the winter season is 20% more than in the summer. For example, in January 2019 a five-member family had a living wage of GEL 355.9 and in June it was GEL 374.8. In real life it is most unlikely that the cost difference between seasons would be so small", explained Soso Archvadze, a statistician.
Bela Gelashvili
News Author