Subjective Poverty and Material Deprivation in Three Post-Soviet Countries

Abstract

This article provides an overview of different aspects of poverty in three Post-Soviet countries: Russia, Armenia and Georgia. It looks into the material situation of households and subjective and deprivation poverty. Source data are the findings of three population surveys, conducted in the considered countries in 2017. The analysis shows a significant level of material deprivation among the population in the studied countries. The most vulnerable categories are rural population, 65+, and families with three or more children. Households in Armenia and Georgia are more dependent on farming and financial aid from their relatives than Russian households. Although the level of material deprivation in Russia is significantly lower compared with Armenia and Georgia, the level of relative subjective poverty in Russia is notably higher. It is likely due to higher inequality, which may point at risks of social instability. This indicates the need for new government policies in Russia that would focus on social development and reduction of inequality and social exclusion