What does it cost to live with dignity in Georgia? Living wage estimates by city and household type, using the Anker Research Institute methodology. Updated annually.
| City / Region | Living Wage (GEL/mo) | In USD | vs Tbilisi | Dominant cost driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | GEL 2,850 | ~$1,060 | Reference | High rents (up 70% since 2021) |
| Batumi | GEL 2,540 | ~$945 | -11% | Tourism-driven housing costs |
| Kutaisi | GEL 2,180 | ~$811 | -24% | Lower rents, lower transport |
| Rustavi | GEL 2,020 | ~$752 | -29% | Industrial city, lower services |
| Rural Georgia | GEL 1,720 | ~$640 | -40% | Own-food, lower cash costs |
Rural living wage is lower due to own-food production and lower rents, but rural cash income is much lower. See Working Poverty Tool.
| Component | Monthly (GEL) | Share | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food — nutritious basket (2,100 kcal/day + protein) | GEL 580 | 20.4% | Geostat/NCDC food basket, market prices |
| Housing — 1-room apartment, standard districts | GEL 820 | 28.8% | Tbilisi rental survey 2024 |
| Transport — public only (metro + bus) | GEL 160 | 5.6% | Tbilisi Transport Company tariff 2024 |
| Healthcare — out-of-pocket beyond UHC | GEL 145 | 5.1% | MoH 2024 estimate; NCDC co-payments |
| Clothing and footwear (annualised) | GEL 130 | 4.6% | Anker standard budget |
| Communication (mobile + internet) | GEL 55 | 1.9% | Magti/Silknet base package 2024 |
| Personal care and hygiene | GEL 95 | 3.3% | Anker methodology |
| Education, social participation, recreation | GEL 120 | 4.2% | Anker dignity standard |
| Household items (annualised) | GEL 60 | 2.1% | Anker standard |
| Savings buffer — 10% contingency | GEL 285 | 10.0% | ILO/Anker guidance |
| Living Wage Total — Tbilisi single adult | GEL 2,850 | 100% | GILS/Anker 2024 |
Housing (29%) is the dominant component, having risen ~70% between 2021 and 2023. Food accounts for ~20%, below global norms, reflecting Georgia's relatively affordable food environment.
| Household Type | Total Monthly (GEL) | Per Adult Earner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single adult (no children) | GEL 2,850 | GEL 2,850 | Full cost on one earner |
| Couple (2 adults, no children) | GEL 4,560 | GEL 2,280 | Housing economies of scale |
| Single adult + 1 child | GEL 3,980 | GEL 3,980 | Childcare; reduced work hours |
| 2 adults + 1 child | GEL 5,200 | GEL 2,600 | Most common household type |
| 2 adults + 2 children (ILO reference) | GEL 6,820 | GEL 3,410 | LW per adult = GEL 3,410 |
| 3-generation (2 adults + 2 children + elder) | GEL 7,640 | GEL 3,820 | Higher elder healthcare costs |
The ILO reference family is 2 adults + 2 children. Per adult, the living wage is ~GEL 3,410 — 44% above the current national average wage of GEL 2,364.
| Year | LW — single (GEL) | Avg Wage (GEL) | Coverage | Key driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,480 | 750 | 51% | Post-crisis baseline |
| 2017 | 1,620 | 890 | 55% | Modest growth |
| 2019 | 1,920 | 1,136 | 59% | Pre-COVID peak |
| 2020 | 2,050 | 1,184 | 58% | COVID food/housing surge |
| 2022 | 2,480 | 1,576 | 64% | High inflation; migration |
| 2023 | 2,680 | 1,822 | 68% | Wage growth accelerating |
| 2024 | 2,850 | 2,105 | 74% | Best coverage yet |
74% coverage for single adults masks much lower coverage for families (~46% on ILO reference family). Living wage estimates are GILS retrospective calculations for comparability.
Georgia's GEL 20 statutory minimum represents 0.7% of the Tbilisi living wage. No worker earns this amount, but the absence of a meaningful legal minimum means precarious workers (domestic, agricultural, sub-contracted) have no enforceable earnings floor. GILS, GTUC, and EU partners recommend a reset to at least GEL 800-1,000/month, indexed to CPI annually. See Labour Code.
Housing accounts for ~29% of the Tbilisi living wage, having risen ~70% between 2021-2023 due to Russian/Ukrainian migration inflows. Low-wage workers cannot increase earnings at the same rate. A social housing policy for low-income formal workers remains absent from Georgia's policy framework.
The per-adult living wage for a family with two children (~GEL 3,410) is 44% above the national average wage (~GEL 2,364). A single income cannot support a family of four above the living wage standard. This drives dual-income necessity and child poverty. See Working Poverty Tool.
The living wage covers basic decent life but excludes pension contributions, housing purchase, or higher education. Many Georgians above the living wage still feel precarious due to debt, poor pension prospects, and healthcare co-payments. See Decent Work Index.