Press Release: Update of the Minimum Consumption Basket for a Decent Living

*These estimates are derived and are less precise than the value of the basket for the reference family of two adults and two children.

The value of the minimum consumption basket for a decent living for a family of two adults and two children for September 2024 is 10,450 lei per month. The value of the basket for a family of two adults and one child is 8,586 lei per month, for a family of two adults without children is 6,435 lei per month, and for a single adult is 3,972 lei per month.

The value of the minimum consumption basket for a decent living for a family of two adults and two children increased in 2024 by nearly five percent (4.7%) compared to 2023, from 9,978 lei/month to 10,450 lei/month.

The recalculation of the basket's value was based on the price indices communicated by the National Institute of Statistics for September 2024 compared to September 2023.

The total value increase of the consumption basket this year is driven by rising costs for most categories, with the exception of housing expenses (utilities and maintenance). The most significant increases (over 100 lei more per month) were for food and the acquisition of a house.

For details regarding the structure and method of updating the value of the minimum consumption basket for a decent living, see the initial study:

Ștefan Guga, Adina Mihăilescu și Marcel Spatari, „Coșul minim de consum lunar pentru un trai decent pentru populația României”, Bucharest, 2018, Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, online available at: http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/bukarest/14759.pdf .

The concept of a minimum consumption basket for a decent living involves identifying a set of periodic expenses necessary to meet the basic needs of a family with a specific structure. In addition to immediate survival needs—such as shelter and food—the minimum basket for a decent living includes a comprehensive range of ongoing needs like clothing, personal hygiene, education, healthcare, transportation, communications, recreation, and potential unforeseen expenses (e.g., family events, health issues).

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For further details, we are at your disposal. Contact person: Tudorina Mihai, Tudorina.Mihai@fes.de, phone:0726380674