The extreme poverty rate amounted to 4.2 percent in 2019, while in 2018 it equalled 5.4 percent. – informed the Central Statistical Office on Tuesday. Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Marlena Maląg stresses that it is the best result since 2006. More importantly, the decline in extreme poverty noted since 2019 covered nearly all social groups, regardless of their age or the type of household.

Extreme poverty among pensioners and annuitants is on the decline

For instance, extreme poverty among pensioners decreased from 4.6 percent to 3.5 percent. The decline among annuitants was even larger - from 8.4 percent to 6.3 percent.

– The data is the best indicator of the importance of wise and effective senior policy. It includes measures such as introducing an additional, thirteenth pension, a worthy valuation of pensions and annuities - since 2016, the lowest pension and annuity have increased by 36 percent, from PLN 882.56 up to PLN 1.200 - or the Mother 4+ Programme. Today, 57 thousand persons benefit from the additional benefit. Before, these people did not have the right to access even the minimum pension, as they had devoted themselves to raising at least 4 children. That is an expression of social solidarity and a particularly important support - says Minister Marlena Maląg.

Families with children now have a better standard of living

The data provided by the Central Statistical Office also shows a decrease in the percentage rate of poverty among households with children below the age of 18. The most substantive decrease – from 9.7 percent to 6.8 percent – was registered in the case of families with at least 3 children.

In result, the scope of extreme poverty among children and the youth below the age of 18 has decreased from 6 percent in 2018 down to less than 5 percent in 2019.

– Family is our priority and the best investment – it is a fact and not just empty words. Our government has introduced the “Family 500+” programme, which has altered the Polish family policy and shown that a large-scale support of families is possible and worthwhile. To this day, we have allocated over PLN 114 billion for the parental benefit - indicates Minister Marlena Maląg.

This also includes programmes such as the “Good Start” programme, i.e. PLN 300 for school starter kit for each child at school with a total budget of PLN 1.42 billion for 2020. This is a support for 4.5 million children. The electronic call for applications commences on July 1st. That also includes the Big Family Card, i.e. a system of discounts for large families, which can be used in nearly 27 thousand locations across Poland.