Poverty Assessment as a Social Criterion of Economic Security of Russian Regions and EАEU Countries

Abstract

The presented study examines methodological approaches to poverty assessment as a social indicator of economic security of Russian regions and countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).Aim. The study aims to analyze the level of poverty in Russian regions, including in relation to the dynamics of inequality indicators.Tasks. The authors address the problems of developing a comprehensive approach to poverty assessment in Russia with a view to further develop public policy measures that would allow for a radical reduction in poverty and analyze the dynamics of the poverty level indicator in the EAEU countries, determining the distinctive features of this phenomenon in the countries that are most economically integrated with Russia.Methods. This study uses the methods of systems analysis, econometric analysis, evolutionary-institutional theory, and historical approach.Results. Analysis of the absolute poverty indicator in regions shows a significant disparity between regions in terms of the proportion of citizens with incomes below the absolute poverty line. In all EAEU countries, the level of poverty decreased over the past 12 years, but the dynamics of this indicator is diverging.Conclusions. It is not uncommon for the regions of the Russian Federation with lower absolute poverty to have a higher Gini coefficient. EAEU countries use different methods for calculating the poverty level. Looking ahead, it seems appropriate to standardize the methodology for calculating poverty levels in EAEU countries, introduce a uniform standard for calculating this indicator, and develop joint comprehensive measures aimed at reducing poverty in EAEU member states.