Comparative Analysis of Poverty and Social Inequality Indicators in the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation as a Criterion of National Economic Security

The presented study comparatively analyzes poverty and social inequality indicators in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation as a criterion of national economic security.

Aim. The study aims to identify trends and peculiarities in the dynamics of absolute poverty and inequality indicators in certain Russian regions (constituent entities), groups of regions, and federal districts, as well as their effects on national economic security.

Tasks. The authors systematize and analyze data on the level of absolute poverty and inequality in a number of regions, identify trends and peculiarities in the dynamics of absolute poverty and inequality indicators in certain regions, groups of regions, and federal districts, and determine potential interdependencies in the dynamics of absolute poverty and inequality indicators.

Methods. This study uses the methods of systems analysis, evolutionary institutional theory, and historical approach.

Results. The conducted study shows a high level of disparity between Russian regions in terms of absolute poverty and inequality. Over the examined 15-17 years, the level of disparity has decreased but remains noticeable, particularly in terms of absolute poverty. Regions with a poverty level above the national average are mainly located in the Southern, North Caucasian, and Siberian federal districts. In 2017, the level of inequality (Gini coefficient) was above the national average in four regions. Most Russian regions show the same tendency as the country as a whole: a decrease in the level of absolute poverty accompanied by an increase in the level of inequality.

Conclusions. Federal districts with a high concentration of regions with an increased level of absolute poverty need to develop a system of measures aimed at radically reducing this indicator. One of the crucial objectives of the national social and regional policy is to reduce the level of inequality. The five regions with the highest level of inequality account for 12% of the Russian population. The nine regions with the Gini coefficient higher than 0.4 in 2019 account for 24% of the population. Thus, almost a quarter of the Russian population lives in conditions of increased inequality. At the same time, in some regions the level of absolute poverty is decreasing at a lower rate than in Russia on average, while the level of inequality is increasing at a rate higher than the national average. This tendency is characteristic of the Smolensk and Pskov regions and Yakutia. In the long run, the current situation may lead to increased social tension and instability as well as depopulation of such regions. Considering that the Smolensk and Pskov regions are located along the national border, this problem poses a real threat to economic and socio-political security.

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