Subject. The article considers and compares methods used in the European and domestic practice for determining the poverty line. Objectives. Our aim is to underpin the need to abandon the absolute approach to determining the poverty line in Russia in favor of relative approaches. Methods. We employ general scientific methods of cognition (comparison, analysis, and synthesis) and special methods of economic science (rationed assessments). The data of the Federal State Statistics Service and its territorial bodies, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, etc. serve as the information base of the study. Results. The paper shows the failure of the absolute approach to poverty measurement, reveals its shortcomings, determines that it distorts the picture of economic reality in the study of poverty. We apply the European monetary approach to poverty measurement. The comparative analysis of poverty rates in Western Europe and in Russia confirms the existence of extreme forms of poverty, both in developed European States and in our country. The paper uses the ‘zone theory’ to assess the severity of poverty in Russia; the actual values of these indicators in Western Europe serve as thresholds. Conclusions. The use of the relative monetary approach to measure poverty in the country gives a more accurate idea. Since 2021, Russia has switched to a similar method of calculating the subsistence rate and the minimum wage. Hence, the officially recorded level of poverty in the country will increase, and this will require additional measures to support the poor by the State.

Subject. This article considers poverty as a global economic problem and explores its level in the countries of the world. Objectives. The article aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the level of poverty of the population in the countries of the world according to international and national criteria. Methods. For the study, we applied a comprehensive approach using comparison, analysis and synthesis, and the normalized estimate method. Results. A comprehensive study of poverty shows that the phenomenon of poverty is inherent in all economies of the world, and the situation of the poor is deteriorating and complicated by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions. The activities of international organizations to overcome poverty bring good results – the percentage of the population in the countries of the world beyond the threshold of extreme poverty is decreasing. Overcoming the problem of hunger and extreme poverty, countries face a new challenge, namely, ensuring a decent standard of living and establishing adequate national criteria for the poverty line.