Though Estonia has not established an official poverty line, it has been claimed that in 1996, about a third of all households were living at a level below that of a calculated poverty line.
Arvestuslikust vaesuspiirist (Eestis ei ole ametlikku vaesuspiiri kehtestatud) allpool elas 1996. aastal veidi üle kolmandiku leibkondadest, 2000. aastaks oli nende osatähtsus langenud veerandini.