Russian Households Research Articles

Сущность и основополагающие принципы развития крестьянских (фермерских) хозяйств Ставропольского края

The paper considers the essential characteristics of farms functioning. Comparative analysis of approaches to definition of peasant (farm) household is carried out. Distinctive features of farm form of management are determined. Study of the dynamics of sown area in Russia, head of livestock in Russia, the number of agricultural commodity producers and sown area of agricultural crops K (F)X in Stavropol Territory was conducted. The main trends in the development of peasant (farm) households in Russia are identified and structured.

Assessing the impact of personal income tax reforms on the income inequality dynamics in Russia in the 21st century

The problem of regulating economic inequality to ensure social justice in society in the context of accelerating economic growth is of constant and obvious relevance. However, this problem does not have universal solutions due to significant country differences and the peculiarities of the social contract in a particular country. The purpose of this study is to analyse and assess the impact of reforms in the system of taxation of personal income on the dynamics of income inequality of Russian households. Dismantling the progressive personal income tax rate did not lead to a significant increase in income inequality in Russia, but the problem of excessive property inequality persisted until the beginning of 2022. The passive policy of regulating economic inequality unexpectedly yielded results in 2022. We expect, that after illegal confiscations and freezing of Russian assets abroad, coupled with anti-poverty programmes, the level of income and property inequality in Russia will significantly decrease on the horizon of 2022−2024. In the long term, the policy of passive financial regulation of inequality can produce a result that remains to be seen on the reporting data of Rosstat and international databases. In the future, when solving the dilemma between equality and economic growth, Russia should focus on the latter and make efforts to restore and then accelerate the growth of the average standard of living in the country.

Factors of choosing the financial strategies of Russian households

Subject. The article investigates factors of choosing the household’s financial strategies in modern Russian conditions. Objectives. The aim is to study the effect of material and socio-psychological characteristics of Russians on their propensity to form savings and attract loans. Methods. To analyze the factors of financial behavior of Russians, I use databases of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey. The propensity to form savings and attract loans is estimated, using probit, ordinal probit, and tobit regression. The Big Five Personality Traits model is applied to consider psychological characteristics of the family head in financial decisions. Results. The estimates confirmed the provisions of the life cycle theory on changing the financial strategy (transition from borrowings when creating the material base of the household at the stage of its formation to savings to finance expenses at retirement age after repayment of home and car loans) as the age of the head of household changes. The precautionary motive effect (formation of financial reserves in anticipation of deteriorating the family's financial situation) was estimated as insignificant. Conclusions. The psychological characteristics of the family head influence the choice of financial strategy of Russians. Emotionally unstable Russians are not inclined to accept a debt burden, and those characterized by high openness to experience are more wasteful and do not tend to save. I revealed a decrease in the role of social networks in financing household cash gaps and an increase in the role of financial intermediaries in the implementation of financial strategies of Russians.

The Impact of the Precautionary Motive on the Buffer Savings of Russian Households

The Impact of the Precautionary Motive on the Buffer Savings of Russian Households

War in Ukraine: challenges for the global economy

Introduction. As the attack on Ukraine intensified, the United States and other Western countries imposed unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia and declared their support for Ukraine. Problem. Consideringthe far-reaching impact of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine on international development in the long run, it is extremely important for the international community to implement compre­hensive solutions focused on development priorities. The aim of the article is to study the impact of the war in Ukraine on inflation risks and challenges for the world economy. Methods. The information base of the study was the study of official information and periodicals. Methodological basis of the research: analysis, synthesis, systems approach, statistical methods and abstract-logical methods. Results. The new sanctions regime and the cost of the war are likely to push the Russian economy into a recession worse than the 1998 recession and the Russian financial crisis, accompanied by significant increases in inflation and the cost of living of Russian households. According to our preliminary estimates, Russia’s real GDP will fall by 4–9 % in 2022, while growth will range from –1 % to 2.5 % in 2023. Inflation may rise to 11–17 % in 2022, fall to 6–12.03 % in 2022. A key factor in these projections is that Russia’s oil and gas exports, especially to Europe, are largely continuing, but this may change if sanctions are tightened. In 2021, Russia’s exports of mineral fuels, oils and distillation products amounted to 199 USDbillion. USA, which accounts for 40.5 % of Russia’s total exports and 11.4 % of its GDP. Depending on the duration of sanctions and the possibility of their strengthening, the world economy may be significantly affected during 2022–2023. Conclusions. It is expected that the war in Ukraine will have a significant impact on the economy and consumers in terms of such actions: expanding the supply chain, increasing inflationary pressures, deteriorating economic prospects.

Sociální a ekonomické strategie života městských domácností v Kyrgyzstánu

The dissolution of the USSR and the transition from a planned to a market economy gave rise to significant changes across all areas of people’s daily lives in Kyrgyzstan. These processes have influenced its social institutions through an effect on household survival strategies. The purpose of this article is to identify differences and similarities in the means of survival chosen by Kyrgyz and Russian households. Employment, income, and expenses are important components of budget planning that affect the saving behaviour of household members. A qualitative method – a semi-structured interview – along with statistical data, was used to identify differences and similarities in the behaviour of Kyrgyz and Russian households, especially regarding their attitude to loans and social networks. The findings highlight the attitudes of different generations of households in contrasting cultural settings to these components.

Профессиональные компетенции тележурналиста в оценке работодателей: региональные аспекты (на примере Республики Бурятия)

The article is a study of the key professional competencies of TV journalism graduates based on identifying the needs of employers of television media in the Republic of Buryatia, as well as professional standards that correspond to the professional activities of graduates. The study of this problem is caused by a number of reasons. Firstly, the technological, social, economic, and other transformations taking place in the entire media industry require rethinking of the professional competencies of graduate journalists formed by domestic universities. This is especially important for television journalism, since television still retains its status as the main source of information for the majority of Russian households. Secondly, the educational programs of higher educational institutions in our country implement a competency-based approach, and one of its priority tasks involves identifying the needs of the labor market. And finally, thirdly, the analysis of various sources of information showed insufficient study of the issue of professional training of graduates in the media industry, where the object of research is the requirements of employers to the professional competences of TV journalists. Close attention was paid to theoretical and empirical research in this area among local scientists. The method of empirical research was an expert survey. The experts were the editors-in-chief of the leading television media of the Republic of Buryatia. The methodology of the study of professional competencies of a television journalist was based on the professional standards of a television program host, correspondent and media editor approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Relations of the Russian Federation. As a result of the study, a rating of professional competencies of a television journalist in the region under study was compiled. Key competencies were identified, as well as the competencies of “outsiders” on the level of television media editors, television presenters and media correspondents.

Study of the structure and differentiation of consumer spending of households in Russia

Study of the structure and differentiation of consumer spending of households in Russia

The Moral and Religious Conflict in N. M. Karamzin's <I>Poor Lisa</I>

M. Karamzin’s Poor Lisa is a precedent in Russian literature: it both celebrated and brought down the principles of Sentimentalism. However, many aspects of this canonical text still remain understudied. The present research featured the moral and religious issues in N. M. Karamzin’s Poor Lisa. It also involved some fragments from N. M. Karamzin’s The History of the Russian State; Natalya, the Boyar’s Daughter, and Filalet to Melodor. The methods included the historical and literary approach, as well as comparative and typological analyses. As for N. M. Karamzin’s religious views, the authors agree with those literary critics and historians who relied on N. M. Karamzin’s biography and statements and declared him an orthodox Christian. The research concentrated on various moral and religious components of the story. Lisa’s worldview was shaped by that of her parents, who built their family relations based on the Old Russian Household Book. Lisa’s traditional Orthodox background explains many of her decisions, which critics tend to interpret through the prism of Sentimentalism. Spatial images of the novel seem to correlate with ceremonial tradition: they show how Lisa’s Christian worldview was gradually overtaken by the pagan belief system. The central motif of Lisa’s purity and innocence correlates with those of oblivion, delusion, the death of soul, punishment, built, sin, etc. As a result, the novel can be treated as a dialogue of two world outlook systems: Sentimental ethics vs. religious and moral ideas. The reader sees Lisa from the point of view of a compassionate narrator with a Sentimental worldview. However, a more complex problem of religious ethics appears as a moral background.

Settlement and regional differences in the impact of the food embargo on household consumer spending

This study examines the impact of food counter‑sanctions introduced in 2014 and the accompanying shock price hike on consumer spending in Russian households. Moscow residents were studied separately as being mostly inclined to consume imported products, for whom the real total gap with potential consumer spending was estimated at 4,600 rub. per month per family, which is 2,2 times higher than the same indicator for the regions. Importantly, for the residents of Moscow the most deviating from the scenario trajectory was the cost of dairy products, while for the residents of the regions meat products were mostly deviating. In terms of the type of settlement in which the household lives, the real effect for urban dwellers was more than 3 times higher than for rural dwellers. While for the residents of cities significant parts of the losses are those in the market for fruits and vegetables, for rural residents this market was protected from negative consequences.

Продовольственное обеспечение населения: проблемы финансово-экономической доступности продуктов питания

The article substantiates the need to study the financial component of the economic accessibility of food for the population of the country. The relationship between food consumption and household income has been identified. A sample of households in Russia depending on income was analyzed. In recent years, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic sanctions, the purchasing power of the population for vital products has significantly decreased. The diets of the first 20% of households do not meet the established rational standards. The share of spending on food in consumer spending in the group with the lowest incomes reached 48.2%. A serious threat to healthy nutrition among the poor in Russia and families with children has emerged. The main reason is a significant decrease in the affordability of food products. Support for the affordability of food rations is needed at the state level. Possible options for overcoming food poverty were proposed.

Эмпирический анализ гипотезы перманентного дохода на данных постсоветской России

The paper tests the hypothesis of permanent income on modern (2007– 2019) data of aggregated income indicators and expenditure of the Russian households. To test the hypothesis, we use John Shea’s methodology. According to his approach, the values of the predicted indicators of the current change in income and interest rates are determined using several sets of variables. The empirical analysis carried out by these authors shows that the behavior of households in Russia does not follow Milton Friedman’s permanent income hypothesis, but is consistent with Christopher Carroll’s “buffer stock” model. Fluctuations in income have a statistically significant effect on fluctuations in consumption. This means that Russian consumers are not inclined to smooth future consumption over the entire life cycle, but tend to maintain a certain level of savings for several periods in advance as a safety net in the event of a fall in permanent income. This conclusion is logical for the post-Soviet Russian space. As the studies show, in developing countries and with less developed financial institutions and markets, individuals have difficulties in planning their behavior. They face a narrow planning horizon with a high degree of uncertainty about the future.

Владение питомцами в России и риск развития аллергии на животных

The number of people with animal allergies is constantly increasing, while there is still insufficient research information on the prevalence of epidermal allergies in Russia. Objective. To study the characteristics of pet-keeping in Russia and the risk of developing pet sensitization. A web-based questionnaire (https://docs.google.com/) was created in 2021. It consisted of 23 questions about pet-keeping. We received 311 completed surveys from different regions of Russia. Eighty-four percent of the families interviewed had pets, including cats (69%), dogs (43.7%), birds (5.4%), fish (3.4%), and rodents (1.5%). Children were in contact with animals since birth in 66.6% of cases. Families more often had to give up cats (in 69.6% of cases) than dogs (in 27.4% of cases) (p < 0,05). Animal allergy was the main reason for not having a pet at home (39.8%). In 43% of cases, an adult family member happened to be pet allergic rather than a child family member. It was an allergic reaction to cats (83%), dogs (43%), horses (11.3%) and less commonly to mice, rats, and rabbits. Respondents mostly linked their allergies with pet hair, less often to saliva and urine (p < 0,05); in about 30% of cases, the allergen source remained unknown. Allergy symptoms were the most common way of diagnosing animal allergy, followed by IgE blood test and skin prick test (42.7%, 17.5% and 10.2%, respectively). In about 40% of cases, it was recommended to remove the pet from the home. Conclusions. Pet ownership is very common in Russian households with cats being the most popular pet. Animal allergy is announced as the main reason for removing the pet from the home. Pet hair is the first allergen source. Antihistamines, barrier agents (aqua maris ectoin), and nasal steroids are usually used in therapy. Key words: animal allergy, pet-keeping

ВЛИЯНИЕ НОВЕЙШИХ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ ШОКОВ НА РОЗНИЧНЫЙ СЕГМЕНТ ФИНАНСОВОГО РЫНКА РОССИИ

The purpose of the the study is to analyze the specifics of the manifestation of economic shocks in 2020 and 2022 and assess their impact on the state of the retail segment of the Russian financial market. The authors justify the need to clarify the significant factors influencing the financial behavior of retail investors, the level and direction of activity of individuals. Research methodology: based on the analysis of statistical data, the investment potential of national households is analyzed from the standpoint of their income, volumes and structure of expenses. As a result, the authors identified the criteria specific features of economic shocks and their impact on the investment behavior of the population. The conditions that contribute to the transformation of the behavior of retail investors in the context of economic shocks are determined. The trend of investment preferences of Russian households in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Russian sanctions is studied and systematized. An assessment of changes in the investment preferences of Russians from insured bank deposits to stock market instruments is given, and the reasons for the increase in the macro- and microeconomic risks of this trend for investors and the national economy are established. The attitude of the population to financial risks during the period of global shocks is specified, the change in trends in its consumer and investment preferences is determined. The necessity of improving the mechanisms for managing the retail segment of the country's financial market is substantiated.

Влияние шоков внешней торговли на благосостояние российских домохозяйств: микросимуляционный подход

In recent years, there have been significant fluctuations in world prices for essential goods, many of which have a significant share in the consumption basket of households. In this study, we analyze how fluctuations in world wheat prices affect the well‐being of Russian households. We provide estimates of average welfare losses and of welfare losses in different parts of welfare distribution. We also identify which socio‐demographic groups bear the brunt of such price shocks. For evaluation, a micro‐ simulation approach to model the expenditure part of household budgets is used. The empirical basis is the data of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) for 2020. When modeling a 50% rise in prices for bread, flour and pasta, the average losses amounted to 2.9% of total household expenditures, the largest losses, 5.5% of total expenditures, fall on households in the first decile. Those living in rural areas or urban‐type settlements, as well as households headed by a female pensioner, suffer losses at the level of 3% of total household expenses. Families with children are not among the most vulnerable groups with rising prices for bread, flour and pasta.

МЕДИЦИНСКИЕ И ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЕ ФАКТОРЫ РАСХОДОВ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ НА ЛЕКАРСТВЕННЫЕ СРЕДСТВА И БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИ АКТИВНЫЕ ДОБАВКИ ВО ВРЕМЯ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19

Significance. In 2020, many Russians faced an increased need for medicines to treat COVID-19 and its complications, as well as economic hardship due to the crisis caused by the pandemic. The purpose of the study. To identify key factors that determined the Russian households’ spending on medicines and dietary supplements during the pandemic. Material and Methods. The study used Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - National Research University “Higher School of Economics” samples of households and adults for the year 2020. We employed regression models to estimate the probability of purchasing medicines and dietary supplements, and family expenses on medicines and dietary supplements, depending on medical factors, healthy lifestyle factors, socio-economic and demographic factors. Results. The probability of buying medicines and dietary supplements and the household expenditures were higher in families with the disabled, individuals with multimorbidity, with self-reported poor health, and with pensioners. High expenditures on medicines and dietary supplements were observed in families which members visited doctors on a regular basis. Both the probability and expenditures on medicines and dietary supplements rose with the increase in average per capita income. The presence of children under 14 years in the family was associated with a decrease in expenditures on medicines. Smoking, overweight and sports were significant contributors to expenditures on medicines and supplements, although their relative contributions were quite small. Private health insurance did not affect expenditures on medicines. Residents of the Northwestern Federal District spent significantly more on medicines compared to residents of other districts. Conclusions. Expenditures on medicines and dietary supplements in 2020 were largely explained by the following two key factors - people suffering from two or more chronic conditions in the family and the average per capita income. Other household factors, although significant, contributed much less to the decision to spend on medicines and dietary supplements. Public provision of medicines especially during economic crisis can be improved by supporting poor households and including patients with multimorbidity into drug reimbursement programs and thus expanding the number of its beneficiaries. Scope of application. The study results can be used to improve policy on pharmaceutical provision of the population.

Behavioral Responses of Households to Tax Reforms

Over the past 10 years, significant reforms have taken place in the Russian tax area. Households are under the influence caused by the following changes: the rules for property and land tax recalculating according to the cadastre data including summer cottages and garages in the list of taxable objects, the transport tax on luxury cars, and the introduction of a progressive personal income tax scale. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to examine the response of households to changes in tax policy and to interpret this response using behavioral approach. The key hypothesis of the study is that households demonstrate varying degrees of reaction to any changes in tax legislation. Likewise, in the context of the deteriorating fiscal environment, households seek to optimize the tax burden. The authors analyzed the theoretical and methodological basis of this topic, which allowed the authors to propose improvements in methods of studying households. The study was conducted on the basis of data on payments of taxes by the Russian households. The authors revealed the features of the relationship of tax payments and different economic indicators. It is established by the Pearson correlation coefficient that there are varying degrees of households' reaction to changes in tax legislation, and households' responses are not uneven for all types of taxes. Authors also calculated the coefficient of elasticity of tax payments depending on various factors. The approach given in the article is needed for a more complete understanding of how effects of tax changes to households may be used to create effective techniques and measures in tax policy. This study makes unique contributions to further researches in the area, which will lead to the introduction of new mechanisms for state programs in tax area and forecast their implementation for the medium- and long-terms.

Does Income Inequality Create Excessive Threats to the Sustainable Development of Russia? Evidence from Intercountry Comparisons via Analysis of Inequality Heatmaps

The paper explored the problem of income inequality in Russia in the context of the sustainable development of Russia. The research starts from the historical analysis of income inequality dynamics in Russia. Then, we discussed the problem of the inconsistency of data, comparing different sources (official data from the Rosstat database and alternative data from the World inequality database). The purpose of this research was to assess Russian specifics of income inequality and answer the question of if the income inequality in Russia is excessively high and needs extra government regulation in order to reach the trajectory of advanced sustainable development. To this end, we made intercountry comparisons and used the method of building income inequality heatmaps basing on a dataset from the World Inequality Database. Our sample includes the per-adult equivalent of household market income distribution in 27 developed and developing countries and world regions. The result of the research was that there are many countries in the world wherein the differentiation of income exceeds Russia’s. Russian income inequality is lower than the world average, but the structure of the Russian household income distribution stands out by an extreme concentration of national income in the hands of the top 1%. We supported our results via the independent data from the Credit Suisse wealth inequality report, connecting a record level of wealth inequality in Russia with its problem of top 1% income inequality. It is recommended to gradually increase marginal tax rates on the income and wealth of the top 1% and continue developing an effective progressive tax system in Russia.

Testing for structural break in aggregated consumption function of Russian households

The paper considers a simple aggregated consumption function for Russian economy in which households consume a constant fraction of a permanent income. The value of this fraction is estimated by households within the framework of the adaptive expectations process based on the dynamics of GDP at constant consumption prices. Testing for a structural break at an unknown date in the parameter of the propensity to consume is performed. The results of econometric estimation, taking into account the presence of an endogeneity in the regression equation, demonstrate that after 2014 there was a structural break, as a result of which the parameter of the propensity to consume of permanent GDP decreased by 6.5—9.2%.

Changes in household saving and borrowing behavior during the economic crisis

In the article the authors use the well-known model of “permanent income” to explain the behavior of Russian households in a situation of economic crisis. The authors challenge the widespread opinion in the Russian economic community that the Russian banking system’s recovery from the crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic will be quite short and intensive. The almost thirty-year history of economic crises in Russia does not give rise to such optimism. The article provides evidence that during the past economic crises, Russians have always chosen the “savings” model of behaviour. The essence of this model is that at the first obvious symptom of the crisis, which is a reduction in current income (less often a loss of employment), households sharply reduce their current consumption. It is noteworthy that the savings behaviour pattern extends beyond the acute phase of the crisis. A high savings rate is maintained for a long time as the value of current household income has recovered. It is assumed that the savings model has become a stable behavior pattern as a result of the long (about 20 years) period of stagnation of the Russian economy at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries.