Reducing Poverty Through Growth And Social Policy Reform in Russia

Following the 1998 financial crisis in Russia, there was a significant drop in consumption levels across all income groups with around forty per cent of the population unable to meet basic needs. This publication examines the main factors and dynamics involved in the rising poverty levels in Russia between 1997 and 2003, both in national and regional contexts, using household survey data and the findings from a social services survey. It considers growth-poverty linkages through the labour market, the expected impact of WTO accession on overall growth and poverty, and the need for effective social policy reforms.