Latvia sees increase in people who have officially become poor — but richer than Riga residents with apartment rent

The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia has announced sensational news — the number of poor and low-income persons in the country has increased by a whole 4.3 percent. This means that even more people have been officially recognized as those who don't have enough money to feel secure. While in Riga you can only dream about a portion of apartment rent for 680 euros per month, in Liepāja this amount is the maximum threshold for a low-income person.

Particularly interesting is that the first threshold for poor persons is 425 euros — exactly as much as it costs to live in central Riga for one week without food. Local Liepāja resident Kārlis comments on the situation: "With 425 euros per month, I can pay utilities, go to 'Fontaine Palace' once a week, and still have money left over to buy fish. What kind of poverty is that?"

It's also strange that the number of low-income people increased precisely in February — the month when even Lake Liepāja quietly freezes over and you don't have to pay for summer activities. While Riga residents spend money heating cafés and on metro tickets, Liepāja residents can simply take a walk by the lake and listen to natural silence, which is much cheaper than any psychotherapist.

Municipalities may set their own low-income thresholds up to 80 percent of the income median, but not lower than the poverty threshold. It's like saying you can be poor, but not too poor, otherwise the statistics will look bad. Local social worker Ināra says: "We are always proud that our poor are richer than the average Riga apartment renter."