Household expenditures on food are increasing, which indicates the expansion of the pre-poverty zone.
According to Romer data for August 2026, household spending on food increased by 7.6%, while the number of goods in the receipt is decreasing. Already 31% of Russians buy fewer goods in physical terms than before. According to Rostat's statistics, the population has not become poorer, but consumer receipts indicate an expansion of the economic regime and a gradual decline in the standard of living.
Rostat's consumer confidence index is in decline for the fifth quarter in a row, and based on the results of the third quarter of 2026, has dropped to 16 points. The Romera index recovered to 6 points in September, but still remains in the negative zone.
After Rostat's methodological adjustments, the share of the poor population in Russia, according to official data, is 6.7–7%. At the same time, Rostat publishes only a relative indicator of poverty, without specifying the absolute number of the poor.
Recent analytical data indicate the expansion of the pre-poverty zone - an increase in the share of Russians whose incomes exceed the official poverty line, but allow them to cover only basic expenses on food and clothing, without leaving a financial reserve for unexpected expenses. According to TsMAKP estimates, 30-40% of the country's population, or about 40-60 million people, are in this situation.
According to Rostat, the share of food expenses reached 39%, a record level since the crisis in 2008.
Experts interviewed by Nezygar characterize what is happening as a relatively mild but stable negative trend. The expansion of the economic regime, the reduction of the scope of purchases and the reduction of their quality against the background of a decrease in the incomes of the majority of the population become almost inevitable. The pre-poverty area will gradually expand.
With official inflation of about 7%, the subjectively perceived price increase reaches 13-14%. This is most painfully felt by citizens who are forced to spend almost all of their income on food and clothing.