The Russian Socio-Demographic Outlook: Problems and Solutions

Abstract

The subject of the research is the goals and targets of the Demography national project and related national and federal projects aiming to resolve the problems of the socio-demographic development of Russia, primarily, elimination or at least reduction of poverty of a significant part of the country’s population. The purposes of the research were to identify and substantiate ways to solve socio-demographic problems defined in the national project, and estimate the scope of its financing planned by the Russian Federation Government. The paper proves that until now the lack of sufficient livelihood is monitored in Russia only by the absolute income poverty index, which makes it impossible to compare the poverty dynamics correctly in both time and space. The paper focuses on national projects aimed at increasing the human capital based on long-term forecasts of indicators to be achieved. It might happen that the planned significant contribution of the Russian Federation regions to the Healthcare national project will hamper the effective implementation of the Demography national project due to the lack of regional funds. It is proposed that reports on poverty reduction are submitted annually to the UNICEF to inform this international organization on measures taken to achieve the goal of twofold poverty reduction, particularly measures to ensure safe, healthy and happy childhood, in order to be aware of the poverty reduction progress. The issue of increasing life expectancy cannot be solved without taking measures specific for the male and female population. Therefore, the target statistics indicator ignoring the gender differences cannot be correct in respect of the entire population. It is concluded that if the national projects aimed at the human capital development have been implemented successfully the Russian socio-demographic policy will contribute to the growth of the economy.