Russian President Vladimir Putin called the main result of his work the reduction of poverty in Russia by half. He stated this at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club. The speech was broadcast by the Russia 24 TV channel.
“As for what we managed to do. We had 40 million people below the poverty line, today there are exorbitant numbers – more than 19 or 20, according to various estimates, but still it is not 40. This is perhaps the most important result, ”Putin said.
He noted that Russia overcame a difficult period thanks to the patience, courage and will of the people. “Yes, we have overcome a difficult stage in the life of the country, especially in the fight against terrorism. Not thanks to my efforts, but thanks to the patience, courage and will of the Russian people, ”the president emphasized.
According to Rosstat, according to the results of the first half of the year, 13.1% of the population (19.1 million people) lived below the poverty line in Russia. In 2020, this figure was 12.1%, which is equivalent to 17.8 million people. As indicated in the department itself, the data for 2021 cannot be compared with previous periods due to changes in the calculation of the subsistence minimum: earlier it was formed on a quarterly basis on the basis of the cost estimate of the consumer basket, and now its value is set for a calendar year at 44.2% from the value of the median per capita income for the year preceding the previous reporting period.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin called poverty one of the main unresolved problems in Russia. Back in the summer, the government was instructed to organize monitoring of the income level of low-income citizens and, if necessary, introduce additional social support.
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