How to overcome poverty and ensure sustainable growth of the middle class: criteria of distribution and policy measures

Abstract

The article explores multicriterial approaches to determine the boundaries of poverty and the middle class. Applied regression analysis confirms the significance of some households’ social and economic characteristics that increase the likelihood of their belonging to a certain population group. Based on various methodological approaches, the analysis of the Russian society structure reveals its high polarization and a significant share of poor population fluctuating from 12% to a quarter of the population and even more considering the parameters that determine the quality of life, peculiarities in behavior and self-identification. Applying the multicriterial approach, the authors propose additional measures to support citizens which cover not only the poorest segments of the population and large families, but also a significant cohort of low-income citizens, as well as the measures that contribute to higher-income work and the increment of human wealth.The article explores multicriterial approaches to determine the boundaries of poverty and the middle class. Applied regression analysis confirms the significance of some households’ social and economic characteristics that increase the likelihood of their belonging to a certain population group. Based on various methodological approaches, the analysis of the Russian society structure reveals its high polarization and a significant share of poor population fluctuating from 12% to a quarter of the population and even more considering the parameters that determine the quality of life, peculiarities in behavior and self-identification. Applying the multicriterial approach, the authors propose additional measures to support citizens which cover not only the poorest segments of the population and large families, but also a significant cohort of low-income citizens, as well as the measures that contribute to higher-income work and the increment of human wealth.