The historiography of changes in the income of the Russian population in the 1980s–1990s

Importance. The relevance of studying the dynamics of income of the population in Russia during the 1980s and 1990s is largely determined by the impact of this transitional period on contemporary society. Understanding the causes and consequences of the economic reforms and political decisions made allows for the identification of issues related to monetary inequality and economic crises that are still evident today, as well as the analysis of both positive and negative experiences from the studied period. The period of the 1980s and 1990s is of particular interest as the transition to a market economy was accompanied by a sharp decline in real incomes, an increase in poverty, social differentiation, and instability. Therefore, the political decisions that provoked these issues serve as examples of what should not be implemented. The aim of the study is to identify the main trends in the field of population income during the 1980s and 1990s based on the analysis and systematization of existing scientific literature dedicated to changes in the income of the population of Russia, as well as to determine the prospects for further research within the framework of social and economic history.

Materials and Methods. Attention is focused on the works of domestic economists, historians, sociologists, and politicians who examined the dynamics of population income in Russia during the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the reasons for the current situation, and official statistical information about income dynamics.

Results and Discussion. Data from sociological surveys indicating a deterioration in the material well-being of citizens, delays in wage payments, and an increase in protest sentiments is presented. Particular attention is paid to the regional aspect – research dedicated to the Central Black Earth Region and the Tambov Region. Based on archival materials and the analysis of household budgets, historians identified specific features of income in the region, including the growth of hidden income and the spread of semi-legal and illegal economic activities.

Conclusion. Despite the significant number of economic and sociological works, the social consequences of changes in population income during the 1980s and 1990s remain insufficiently studied, especially from the perspective of social history. It is concluded that further interdisciplinary research is necessary, incorporating both macroeconomic and historical analysis, with the inclusion of regional data, personal documents, and materials from sociological surveys. Thus, existing scientific approaches to the study of changes in the income of the population of Russia during the 1980s and 1990s and outlines promising directions for further research within the framework of the social and economic history of the Russian state are systematized.