Cost variability: Purchasing power comparison across global nations using BPM as the unit
Cashing In: A Cross-Border Comparison of Survival Budgets
Welcome to our global tour, revealing the bare minimum budgets needed to meet essential needs in various countries. Let's dive in, starting in Georgia, Spain, Turkey, Japan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Vietnam, Lithuania, and beyond.
Georgia
Georgia's subsistence minimum, as of January 2025, hovers around $95 for men of working age. But experts suggest it's insufficient; the actual monthly cost for fulfilling basic needs lies nearly seven times higher. Check out what this low amount can buy in Tbilisi:
- 193 kg of white cabbage or 45.6 kg of cherry tomatoes
- 6.5 kg of frozen beef tenderloin or 6.1 kg of frozen salmon
- 54 liters of 3.2% fat Polish milk
- Around 100 pieces of khinkali (Georgian dumplings) in a local restaurant
Spain
In Spain, the IMV — the state's monthly allowance for those in economic distress — amounts to approximately $747. Over 2 million people sought this aid in 2024. Here's what you can pick up for this amount in Madrid:
- 338 kg of tomatoes or potatoes
- 188 kg of bananas or 35 kg of blueberries
- 39 kg of mozzarella cheese or 220 kg of chicken drumsticks
- 82 cinema tickets at the budget-friendly Madrid Callao theater
Turkey
Turkey's minimum subsistence level, as of February 2025, stands at around $1,658 per month. With this, you can snatch:
- 35 kg of beef fillet or 32 kg of minced lamb
- 274 kg of bananas or 137 kg of white grapes
- 60 kg of farm butter
Or, the equivalent of 5 Kiwi Yeni Ekstra wet and dry vacuum cleaners or 9 Philips 7500 Series steam irons from a Turkish online store.
Japan
Japan's minimum subsistence level, set at half the median disposable income, is about $1,658 for adults in February 2025. The breakdown:
- 39 kg of white cabbage or 92 kg of onions
- 75 kg of San Fuji apples or 51 kg of peaches
- 7.9 kg of beef or 29 kg of mackerel fillets
- 25 kg of traditional Japanese sweets, yokan
Poland
Poland's minimum subsistence level is $277 per month for singles and $217.5 for family members, including children, as of January 1, 2025. Your shopping spree:
- 77 kg of fresh cucumbers or 202 kg of young potatoes
- 144 kg of oranges or 33 kg of strawberries
- 16 kg of choice beef or 33 kg of chicken fillets
Enjoy 229 trips on Warsaw's public transportation system with this amount.
Russia
Russia's minimum subsistence level averages around $213 across the country, slightly more for the working-age population at $232. In Moscow:
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Switzerland
Earning $2,788 per month offers a barely manageable living wage in Switzerland, allowing purchases like:
- 617 kg of Gravensteiner apples or 926 kg of bananas
- 260 kg of organic tomatoes or 211 kg of fresh asparagus
- 40 kg of veal or 45 kg of fresh cod fillets
Furthermore, the living wage can cover 57 lunch meals at budget-friendly Zurich cafes and eateries.
Vietnam
As of 2024, Vietnam's survival budget is set at $69 per month. Practically, residents earning three times more still struggle to cover expenses. In Hanoi, your money can buy:
- 43 kg of fresh bamboo shoots, 95 kg of carrots, or 56 kg of sale tomatoes
- 51 liters of cow's milk, 5 kg of beef, or 20 kg of chicken drumsticks
- 12 packs of Danish cookies or 46 packs of popular seaweed rice cakes
Art enthusiasts can catch 9 water puppet shows in a VIP lounge using the living wage.
Lithuania
At $529 per month, Lithuania's subsistence minimum is just enough for necessities:
- 523 kg of potatoes on sale (321 kg without discount) or 97 kg of fresh cucumbers
- 267 kg of sale bananas (187 kg without discount) or 470 kg of Red Jonaprince apples (without discount - 361 kg)
- 63 kg of 82% butter, 335 liters of Dvaro 2.5% milk or 17 kg of fresh steaks from beef tenderloin without discount
Take home a three-seater folding sofa or a double bed with a mattress from IKEA with this amount.
- In Belarus, the average monthly subsistence level might require around 335 rubles, considering the cost of living, based on the cross-border comparison of survival budgets.
- With this amount, one could potentially buy 825 kg of potatoes or 365 kg of fresh cucumbers, or 740 liters of milk, or 168 kg of beef tenderloin, providing a personal-finance level of sustenance.
- However, investing in a business or adding to one's personal-finance situation wouldn't be possible with such a meager budget, as the focus would be primarily on essential needs.
- The living wage for a more comfortable standard in Belarus might be significantly higher, allowing for more opportunities in finance, investing, and business endeavors.
- Nevertheless, understanding the basic subsistence level in various countries, like Belarus, is crucial for aid organizations, economists, and policymakers to address the financial struggles faced by many families worldwide.
