The article examines the indicators of absolute and relative poverty in the Russian Federation under Rosstat terminology, that is, the number of people below the poverty line and the poor. The authors examine the influence of the number of children on household income and the correlation of this income with the total fertility rate, as well as its difference across the country's regions. In addition, based on statistical data, the authors propose a portrait of a typical representative from the poor stratum of the population and conclude that, contrary to popular belief, the poorest in our country are not pensioners at all, but children, youth and middle-aged people. At the same time, the authors trace and emphasize the negative relationship between the number of people in a household and the average income per representative, with an emphasis on households with children. Since the more children there are in a household, the closer it is to poverty, it is concluded that there is a need to review approaches to social assistance. The article may be of interest to specialists of public agencies, social protection, students, postgraduates and researchers.