• A
  • A
  • A
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
Regular version of the site

Mode of life and living standards of Russian population in 1989–2009

Report at the XII International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development, Moscow, 5–7 April, 2011

Mode of life and living standards of Russian population in 1989–2009 [Text] : rep. at XII Intern. acad. conf. on economic and social development, Moscow, 5–7 April, 2011 / G. Andrushchak, А. Burdijak, V. Gimpelson et al. ; gen. sci. supervis. E. G. Yasin ; Nat. Res. Univ. Higher School of Economics. — М. : HSE Publ. House, 2011. — 74 p. — 350 copies. — ISBN 978-5-7598-0892-3 (pbk).

The paper is an attempt to summarize the results of studies performed by scientists of the HSE and the “Expert” Magazine under the joint project to measure changes in welfare of Russian population in 1990–2009. In this work we also involved scientists from the Independent Institution of Social Policy (IISP) and the Institute for Urban Economics. The paper includes a generalization of calculations performed by different methods and aimed at studying various aspects of the change in welfare in specified years. In particular, the change in income levels is examined as well as costs of the

Russian population, physical indicators of consumption including natural indicators of non-market services consumption, the change in housing affordability is estimated, also an attempt is made to construct a certain generalizing indicator of well-being which takes into account all these factors. More detailed papers on selected aspects of the problem are presented additionally.

The paper is presented by the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the“Expert” Magazine

Full text

 

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

2.1. The study period and statistical limitations

2.2. Three approaches to measure economic well-being and social progress

3. Comparison of the levels and the structure of value indicators

3.1. Method of real money income

3.2. Method based on System of National Accounts (SNA)

3.3. The structure of GDP

3.4. Structure of household income

3.5. The method, based on middle-income purchasing power (“Expert”)

3.6. Subtotal: the assessment of changes in the current household consumption level in Russia over the past 20 years

4. Comparison of natural welfare and lifestyle indicators

4.1. Features of natural indicators analysis

4.2. Foods

4.3. Durables

5. Investments and Services

5.1. Consumption of education services

5.2. Consumption of health care services

5.3. The housing

5.4. Privatization

5.5. Capital formation and cash savings

6. The aggregate index of welfare

7. Labor market

8. Inequality

9. International comparisons of welfare levels

10. Conclusions

See also:

HSE University Announces Call for Proposals to Attend Anniversary Yasin Conference

HSE University invites submissions of proposals with academic reports for participation in the 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference (YIAC). The conference programme, centred on five research themes addressing issues of economic and social development, will retain its interdisciplinary focus and welcome participation from leading scientists in Russia and around the globe. The key events of the 25th Yasin Conference will be taking place in Moscow from April 15 to 18, 2025.

25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference Now Accepting Proposals

Reports on new research results will be presented and discussed as part of the conference’s sections. These reports will be selected based on reviews of proposals. As always, the conference programme features expert discussions of the most pressing economic, social, internal and external issues in the format of roundtables and associated events.

Academic Council: HSE University’s Contribution to Achieving National Goals and Development Priorities to Increase

HSE University’s Development Programme until 2030 will be improved in order to increase the university’s contribution to achieving national goals and implementing the priorities of the country’s scientific and technological development. This decision was made by the university’s Academic Council on April 26. The meeting also addressed the principles for the development of HSE University’s external communications, one of which is the creation of a high-quality information field around the university.

Keeping Up with the Neighbours: Envy as a Driver of Economic Growth

Classical economic theory assumes that economic agents are entirely self-interested and rational in their pursuit of material well-being, and that they are not affected by external factors. As a result, externalities are not considered in any way when constructing economic models. Nevertheless, some sociologists argue for a revision of modern economic theory to incorporate the ethical dimensions of economic agents' behaviour. Kirill Borissov, Professor of the Faculty of Economics at the European University in St Petersburg, spoke at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference and shared his observations from creating his own economic model incorporating the factor of envy.  

Structural Transformation and Drivers of Sustainable Growth in Russian Economy Discussed at HSE University

The Russian economy has demonstrated high resilience to unprecedented external pressure and has managed to largely adapt to new conditions. As early as this year, it can go from recession to growth. The issue of where to find drivers and resources for this was discussed at a plenary session titled ‘Russian Economy under Sanctions: From Adaptation to Sustainable Growth’ at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference held at HSE University as part of the Decade of Science and Technology. Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maksim Reshetnikov took part in the discussion.

‘People Want to Receive Only Useful Content’

Experts say that interest in news has sharply increased among the Russian audience. At the same time, part of the audience deliberately avoids it. What kind of content is in demand and will people continue to watch TV? These and other issues were discussed at the plenary session ‘ Info-hygiene and Information Elitism: How to Consume Media Properly’ at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

'The Emerging Trends in Africa Will Shape the World Order, and We Need to Be Prepared for That'

Africa has the potential to become a new economic giant. Today, African countries are interested in comprehensive cooperation and strengthening their positions in the global arena, and they look forward to receiving assistance from Russia and China in developing their technology, economy, and social sphere. Effective engagement with Africa requires training a greater number of professional African studies specialists. The XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference at HSE University featured a plenary session on 'Africa in a Changing World'.

Learning a Foreign Language Can Delay the Onset of Dementia

Dementia, a debilitating form of cognitive impairment, can be preventable. According to Professor Jubin Abutalebi of the University Vita Salute San Raffaele, Italy, and the Arctic University of Tromsoe, Norway, the easiest way to prevent cognitive decline after the age of 60 is to learn and practice foreign languages – the more languages, the better, suggests Professor Abutalebi in his presentation 'Preventing dementia through bilingualism' at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

‘The BRICS Strategic Partnership Offers the World Creative, Unifying, Forward-Looking Initiatives’

Today, BRICS has become an influential factor in modern international relations and is perceived as one of the pillars of a more just world order. This association is not based on one party’s dominance, but instead, is built on a sound balance of interests. The role of the association was discussed by the participants of the plenary session ‘BRICS Development Strategy: Equal Opportunities in an Unequal World’at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

Sanctions Create New Opportunities for Russian Companies

Like any crisis, the sanctions of 2022, besides problems, have created new opportunities for Russian companies. This is the conclusion that HSE University’s experts have come to. Their study results are presented in the report ‘Adaptation of Russian Industrial Companies to Sanctions: First Steps and Expectations’, prepared by HSE University for the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.