The paper presents the results of the study, which was aimed at comparative statistical analysis of the main indicators of poverty of different socio-demographic groups of the population to identify patterns and characteristics of poverty in Russia. The information base of the study was the data of the Federal State Statistics Service, in particular the materials of the statistical Bulletin "Socio-economic indicators of poverty in 2013–2016". The statistical poverty assessment, presented by the author is carried out within the framework of the absolute concept of poverty, taking into account its main criterion – the size of the subsistence minimum. Data from the sample household budget survey (HBS) in 2016 allowed for a subjective approach to poverty assessment and a study of opinions of the Russian people on their own financial situation. The use of statistical data of the Federal State Statistics Service revealed the reduction of poverty by 2,1 times (from 29% to 13,5%) for the period from 2000 to 2016 and the excess of the average per capita income and average monthly wage of the subsistence minimum by more than 3,0 times. However, all this does not indicate the general welfare of the country's citizens. The directive-based subsistence minimum as a standard of consumption is highly underestimated and does not meet the most important needs of the modern man. The results of the sociological survey of household budgets confirm the social stratification of society: more than 86% of Russians consider themselves poor. Based on the comparative characteristics of the poverty level in the regions of the Russian Federation, regions with the level of poverty below, at and above the average Russian level are identified. 63,5% of regions are characterized by the level of poverty that exceeds the average Russian level, which proves the severity of poverty and socio-economic inequality in the country. The results of the study allowed determining the characteristics of poverty in Russia. First, the existence and social (children, youth, pensioners) and economic poverty of the working population (employees of the public sector). Second, interregional differences and high spatial differentiation of the level of poverty in the context of the regions of the Russian Federation. In the current situation, solving the problems of poverty in Russia and overcoming social inequality should be a priority of the government's domestic socio-economic policy.