Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has led to drastic economic and social disruption, increasing the need for social support and social services. The purpose of this study is to trace changes in the system of social protection and social services induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify the related challenges faced by Russian regions. The objectives of this study include building a survey toolkit, conducting expert interviews with representatives of regional ministries responsible for social protection of the population and analyzing the data obtained. The methods used include expert interviews, analysis, comparison and generalization. The study explores the difficulties in organizing assistance to the population during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzes the decisions made and the potential for making social assistance more effective, which underscores the importance of the study. The object of the research is the system of social protection of the population at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The subject of the study is the social security system’s experience during the coronavirus pandemic. The results of the study show that the pandemic has necessitated quick decision-making and completely new approaches, and exacerbated problems such as poor interagency coordination, low salaries of specialists, underdevelopment of digital technologies and people’s insufficient readiness to use remote access technologies. Nevertheless, the period of the pandemic has pushed the social protection system to develop in several aspects. First of all, this concerned the development of digital technologies for administrative purposes as well as for informing the population and providing services, and efforts to meet the needs of the population and reduce bureaucratic barriers in providing social support and social services. Еxploring opportunities for using digital technologies to improve the availability and quality of social support and social services is very important and may be considered as a subject for further research.

Abstract

Given the significant current challenges for the socio-economic situation of the country, it is important to monitor the main indicators of the financial situation of the public, which emphasizes the relevance of this work. The goal of the study is to analyze statistical and sociological indicators of income and poverty of the population, as well as the need for additional social assistance. The objectives of the study are to analyze the dynamics of the following indicators: real disposable incomes of the population, the real size of the assigned pensions, the real wages of employees of various organizations, the retail turnover, the consumer price index, the total cash income, the amount of remuneration for employees of various organizations, the structure of cash income, the usage structure of cash incomes, the share of the population with cash incomes below the poverty line. Within the framework of the sociological section, the objective of the study is to analyze the public opinion about the financial situation of the families and its change, the availability of savings, and the need for social support. The methods used include the review of Rosstat data for 2022, as well as the analysis of findings from a survey conducted by RANEPA during 2022. The object of the study is the financial situation of the population in Russia. The subject of the study is the dynamics of indicators describing income and poverty. The results of the study show that in 2022 there is a decrease in real wages, real pensions and real disposable incomes of the population, retail trade turnover, and an increase in inflation. All this indicates an increase in the risks of poverty. Polls show that about a quarter of the population only has enough money to buy food, or even less than that; almost a third of the respondents have per capita incomes of less than 1 subsistence minimum. More than a third of the respondents have practically no savings: if they happen to lose all their income streams, they will be able to cover current expenses for no more than one month. More than half of the respondents report their need for additional social payments, more than 20% talk about the need for free food packages.  

Abstract

The challenges for the socio-economic situation in the country have been growing since 2020. The issues of prompt, accessible and sufficient state support for different population groups affected by the current crisis come to the fore, which emphasizes the relevance of this work. The goal of the study is to analyze the prevalence of employment in the informal economy, the financial situation of workers employed in the informal economy, their social support coverage and the need for additional social assistance. The objectives of the study are to analyze the prevalence of informal employment and employment in the informal sector, including among various socio-demographic groups of workers, as well as to analyze the financial situation, social support coverage and the need for additional social assistance for informally employed workers and workers in the informal sector. The methods used include the analysis of data from the Rosstat Labor Force Survey for 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as the analysis of data from RANEPA surveys conducted in December 2021 and September 2022. The object of the study is those employed in the informal economy in Russia. The subject of the study is the prevalence of employment in the informal economy, the financial situation of workers employed in the informal economy, the social support coverage and the need for additional social assistance. The results of the study show that the share of people working in the informal economy as their main place of work in 2019-2020 amounted to 18-19% of the total number of employees. Among those employed in the informal economy, there is a higher share of men, young workers, people with a lower level of education, employed as blue-collar workers, in the service sector, trade, agriculture and construction. Informally employed employees face increased risks of monetary and deprivation poverty, are more likely to be forced to spend savings, and have high risks of losing their jobs and reducing labor incomes. At the same time, individual entrepreneurs and the self-employed are in a better position than the working population as a whole. The results obtained contribute to the development of ideas about the financial situation of the workers employed in the informal economy.

Abstract

The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that the sharp changes in the sectors of the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic have affected all existing forecasts of socioeconomic development. At the same time, a number of new support measures have appeared, both at the federal level and at the regional level. In this regard, it is necessary to analyze the current support measures aimed at the development of economic sectors, taking into account risks and opportunities, which seems to be the most important task for the Russian economy. The purpose of the study was to study the effectiveness of industry support measures in a crisis caused by non-economic reasons. The subject of the study is the effectiveness of support measures in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and their contribution to the restoration of the economic activity of the Russian Federation. The research method or methodology is to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis, a review of research literature (Russian and foreign), an analysis of foreign practices in providing business support, an assessment of financial stability and the effectiveness of support measures in a pandemic As a result of the work carried out, the effectiveness of support measures in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and their contribution to the restoration of economic activity, both in foreign countries and in federal and regional support measures for Russia, were analyzed. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the analysis and application of the experience of foreign countries in Russian realities and the study of the contribution to the Russian economy of the impact of existing support measures. The recommendations obtained as a result of the study indicate the need to calculate the effectiveness of support measures before its introduction. The project was carried out as part of research work by the Laboratory for Structural Research of the IPEI RANEPA under the President of Russian Federation in 2022.