Economic inequality and poverty in Russia: analysis of dynamics and international comparisons

The article is devoted to the current issue of economic inequality and poverty in Russia in global context. The author explores the theoretical and methodological aspects of economic inequality, analyzes modern research and approaches to measuring it. Based on an analysis of key statistical indicators, the article identifies the main factors that influence the heterogeneous dynamics of inequality and poverty in Russia between 1992 and 2023. Particular attention is paid to international comparisons, which allow assessing Russia’s position in the global context. It is noted that, despite the decline in poverty in recent years, the problem of income inequality still causes serious concern in many countries, including Russia. International comparisons show that the level of inequality and poverty in Russia is higher than in a number of European and post-Soviet countries, but significantly lower than the maximum global values. The authors also highlight differences in national and international approaches to measuring inequality and poverty, which is significant when assessing Russia’s standing in the global context. It is noted that reducing inequality and poverty in Russia requires additional efforts, which include developing human capital, modernizing existing industries and creating new high-tech sectors, as well as reducing low-paid employment, and expanding social programs.