SECTION:

SCIENTIFIC LIFE

TITLE

Quality and Standard of Living as Factors and Outcomes of the Sustainable Development of the Russian Federation

Yulia A. Sherstobitova

{jd_file file==___}

CNF (Conference Proceedings)

JEL E2, I3, J01

https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_12_336_349

AUTHOR

Yulia A. Sherstobitova

Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2035-1942

SPIN-code: 7854-9050

ResearcherID: ADG-9509-2022

FOR CITATION

Sherstobitova Yu.A. Quality and Standard of Living as Factors and Outcomes of the Sustainable Development of the Russian Federation. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(2):336–349. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_12_336_349 (In Russ.)

ABSTRACT

The article is devoted to a review of the reports presented at the scientific seminar “Quality and Standard of Living as Factors and Outcomes of the Sustainable Development of the Russian Federation,” held within the framework of the St. Petersburg Economic Congress 2026 (SPEC-2026). Representatives of Russian research and educational institutions discussed a broad range of pressing issues related to quality-of-life and living-standard issues, including the quality of society, quality of working life, quality of social institutions, life safety and security, environmental protection, and the standard of living, encompassing both current and long-term consumption of goods and services, as well as socio-economic inequality. Subjective assessments of the components of quality and standard of living were also examined. The article presents abridged materials of the conference reports provided by the speakers and systematized by the author.

KEYWORDS

quality of life, standard of living, quality of working life, demographic policy, family policy, social support for persons with disabilities, quality-of-life indicators, state social policy

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yulia A. Sherstobitova

Junior Researcher, Department of Socioeconomic Research of Living Standards and Quality of Life at the Centre of Development of Human Potential, Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

REFERENCES

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SECTION:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

TITLE

On Changing the Approach to Solving Demographic Problems in the Russian Far East

Yurii A. Avdeev

{jd_file file==___}

COR (Correspondence)

JEL J10, J11, J18

https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_11_330_335

AUTHOR

Yurii A. Avdeev

Pacific Geographical Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0379-9914

SPIN-code: 7481-4302

ResearcherID: K-5937-2018

FOR CITATION

Avdeev Yu.A. On Changing the Approach to Solving Demographic Problems in the Russian Far East. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(2):330–335. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_11_330_335 (In Russ.)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yurii A. Avdeev

PhD in Economics, Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Social and Medical Geography, Pacific Geographical Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

SECTION:

DISCUSSION FORUM 

TITLE

The Quality and Standard of Living of the Population in Modern Russia: Realities, Trends, and Solutions

Vyacheslav N. Bobkov

{jd_file file==___}

RAR (Research Article Report)

JEL E2, I3, J01

https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_10_319_329

AUTHOR

Vyacheslav N. Bobkov

Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7364-5297

SPIN-code: 5639-0410

ResearcherID: U-6527-2019

Scopus Author ID: 55960509800

FOR CITATION

Bobkov V.N. The Quality and Standard of Living of the Population in Modern Russia: Realities, Trends, and Solutions. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(2):319–329. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_10_319_329 (In Russ.)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to refine and develop the author's theoretical and methodological framework for studying quality of life and standard of living and to identify the most pressing issues in this area that require further research and practical solutions, based on those discussed at the scientific seminar «Quality and Standard of Living in Modern Russia: Realities, Trends, Solutions», held in 2026 at the St. Petersburg Economic Congress (SPEK-2026). The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is based on research conducted by a team of researchers led by the author of this publication at the All-Russian Center for Standard of Living, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and currently underway at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The author used reports presented at the SPEK-2026 scientific seminar, as well as publications referenced by the speakers, as well as the author of this publication, as the initial data (information base) for the study. The main results of the study are the clarified and developed parameters of the author’s framework for studying the content and interrelations of the categories of quality of life and standard of life, and their place in the system of reproduction of life activity, the principal findings of the study include a re-emphasis on the prioritization of production relations alongside the broader system of social relations and forms of social consciousness. The study also identifies the most acute problems affecting the quality and standard of living in contemporary Russia: the predominance of narrowed and simple reproduction of living standards; high economic inequality in the distribution of living standards among broad social groups and its unfavorable configuration, reflected in the significant concentration of resources within upper social strata; problems in the social sphere caused by worldview limitations and the underestimation of the role of culture, the humanities, socio-economic science, and education; the persistence and concentration of demographic and family-related problems. Further research will focus on a broader generalization of the theoretical, methodological, and practical issues related to the study of quality and standard of living as reflected in leading Russian and international academic journals.

KEYWORDS

quality of life, standard of living, quality of society, quality of working life, quality of social institutions, life safety, quality of interaction with the environment, satisfaction with quality of life

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vyacheslav N. Bobkov

Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honoured Science Worker of the Russian Federation, Chief Research Worker, Head of the Department of Socioeconomic Research of Living Standards and Quality of Life at the Centre of Development of Human Potential, Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

REFERENCES

1. Odintsova Е.V., Sherstobitova Ya.A. Quality and Standard of Living of the Population in Modern Russia: Realities, Trends, and Solutions (Review of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation). Uroven' zhizni naseleniya regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2025;21(4):648–660. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2025_21_4_11_648_660 (In Russ.)
2. Sherstobitova Yu.A. Quality and Standard of Living as Factors and Outcomes of the Sustainable Development of the Russian Federation. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(2):336–349. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_12_336_349 (In Russ.)
3. Bobkov V.N., Kolmakov I.B. Identifying the Social Structure and the Inequality of Monetary Incomes of the Population of the Russian Federation. Ekonomika regiona=Economy of Region. 2017;13(4):971-984. https://doi.org/10.17059/2017-4-1 (In Russ.)
4. Bobkov V.N., Odintsova E.V., Kolmakov I.B. Normative-Statistical and Relative Median Approaches to the Study of Population Differentiation by Standard of Living. Vestnik Instituta Ekonomiki Rossiyskoy Akademii Nauk=The Bulletin of the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2025;(3):84-105. https://doi.org/10.52180/2073-6487_2025_3_84_105 (In Russ.)
5. Bobkov V.N., Kolmakov I.B., Odintsova E.V. Social Structure of Russian Society in Terms of Housing Security: Criterion and Quantitative Identification, the Guidelines for State Policy. Uroven' zhizni naseleniya regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2018;(2(208)):8–23. https://doi.org/10.19181/1999-9836-2018-10011 (In Russ.)
6. Bobkov V.N., Gulugina A.A. 25 Years of Monitoring Income and Living Standards of the Russian Population. Uroven' zhizni naseleniya regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2020;16(3):9-23. https://doi.org/10.19181/lsprr.2020.16.3.1 (In Russ.)
7. Bobkov V.N., Gulyugina A.A. (ex. eds.), Odintsova E.V., et al. Monitoring Dokhodov i Urovnya Zhizni Naseleniya Rossii – 2017 god. Moscow: ISESP RAS; 2018. 87 p. ISBN 978-5-4465-1857-9 (In Russ.)
8. Bobkov V.N., Gulyugina A.A. (ex. eds.), Odintsova E.V., et al. Monitoring Dokhodov i Urovnya Zhizni Naseleniya Rossii – 2023 god. Yearbook. Issue 2(203). Moscow: IE RAS; 2024. 182 p. ISBN 978-5-9940-0734-1 (In Russ.)
9. Bobkov V.N., Gulyugina A.A. (ex. eds.), Odintsova E.V., et al. Monitoring Dokhodov i Urovnya Zhizni Naseleniya Rossii – 2024 god. Yearbook. Issue 3(204). Moscow: IE RAS; 2025. 170 p. ISBN 978-5-9940-0792-1 (In Russ.)
10. Stepanov V.S., Bobkov V.N., Shamaeva E.F., Odintsova E.V. Building a Model Linking the Indicator of the Standard of Living of the Population with a Set of Indicators of Socio-Economic Policy in the Regions of Russia. Uroven' zhizni naseleniya regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2022;18(4):450–465. https://doi.org/10.19181/lsprr.2022.18.4.3 (In Russ.)
11. Bobkov V.N., Bobkova T.E. (ed.), Loktyukhina N.V., Shamaeva E.F., et al. The Standard of Living and Quality of Life in Russia: From Reality to Designing the Future. Monograph. FCTAS RAS. Moscow: FCTAS RAS; 2022. 274 p. ISBN 978-5-89697-388-1 (In Russ.)
12. Lenin V.I. Complete Works: in 56 Volumes. Vol. 39. Moscow: Gospolitizdat; 1963. 574 p. (In Russ.)
13. Marx K., Engels F. Works in 50 Volumes. Vol. 26. Part II. Moscow: Gospolitizdat; 1963. 712 p. (In Russ.)
14. Bobkov V.N. (ex. ed.) Srednie Klassy v Kapitalisticheskoj Rossii. Monograph. Moscow: Publishing House KNORUS; 2018. 208 p. ISBN 978-5-406-00366-4 (In Russ.)
15. Bobkov V.N., Odintsova E.V. On the Conditions of Capitalizing the Employee’s Labor Potential. Obshchestvo i ehkonomika=Society and Economy. 2025;(6):5-18. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0207367625060013 (In Russ.)
16. Schultz T.W. Capital Formation by Education. Journal of Political Economy. 1960;68(6):571-583. https://doi.org/10.1086/258393
17. Becker G.S. Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. New York: National Bureau of Economic Research; 1975. 187 p. ISBN 0-87014-513-4
18. Sen A. Development as Freedom. UK: Oxford University Press; 2001. 366 p. ISBN 978-0-19-289330-7
19. Schulz T.W. Human Capital: Policy Issues and Research Opportunities. In: Economic Research: Retrospect and Prospect. Vol. 6. New York: National Bureau of Economic Research; 1972. P. 1-84. ISBN 0-87014-255-0
20. Kolennikova N.D. Subjective Stratification of Russian Society: Dynamics and Specifics. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya=Sociological Studies. 2024;(12):74-87. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0132162524120071 (In Russ.)
21. Bobkov V.N., Gulyugina A.A., Odintsova E.V., et al. Purchasing Power of Employees as an Indicator of the Standard of living and Economic (In)Stability of Their Households. Mir novoi ehkonomiki=The World of New Economy. 2025;19(4):88-100. https://doi.org/10.26794/2220-6469-2025-19-4-88-100 (In Russ.)
22. Odintsova E.V. (ed.), Gulyugina A.A., Grishina E.E., et al. Social and Labour Position of Russian Households with Children (2022–2024): Risks and Opportunities. Monograph. Izhevsk: Publishing House Shelest; 2025. 228 p. ISBN 978-5-908023-14-6 (In Russ.)
23. Muzychuk V.Yu. Increasing Labour Productivity or a New Wave of Optimization in the Cultural Sphere? Uroven' zhizni naseleniya regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2025;21(4):502-517. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2025_21_4_1_502_517 (In Russ.)

SECTION:

DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

TITLE

Quality of Life of the Population and Fertility as Factors of Spatial Development in the Tambov Region

Elena Yu. Merkulova

{jd_file file==___}

RAR (Research Article Report)

JEL J13, R23

https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_9_302_318

AUTHOR

Elena Yu. Merkulova

Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin, Tambov, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1044-0053

SPIN-code: 8509-2211

ResearcherID: AAP-3278-2021

Scopus Author ID: 57195720953

FOR CITATION

Merkulova E.Yu. Quality of Life of the Population and Fertility as Factors of Spatial Development in the Tambov Region. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(2):302–318. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_2_9_302_318 (In Russ.)

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study is to identify the determinants of fertility, taking into account assessments of the quality of life of the population, and to develop a typology of municipalities for a differentiated demographic policy. The theoretical framework is based on a synthesis of the concepts of demographic transition, the economic theory of fertility, and spatial demography. The methodology includes factor analysis (principal component method), hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method), spatial analysis (Moran’s index), and multiple regression controlling for age structure. The empirical base consists of official statistical data on 30 municipal districts of the Tambov region and the results of the author’s sociological survey (n = 2,657, October 2024, CAWI method). Age stratification of the sample made it possible to identify three cognitive groups: «migrant optimists» (under 30 years, 39.4%), «stabilizers» (30–45 years, 26.1%), and «localists» (over 45 years, 34.5%). Factor analysis identified three latent dimensions of quality of life: assessment of the place of residence and its development prospects (39.6% of variance), infrastructure and living environment (27.8%), and satisfaction with medical services (10.0%). The regression model (R² = 0.789; F(3,26) = 32.31; p < 0.001) showed the dominant influence of the share of the population below working age (β = 0.558; p < 0.001) and the crude marriage rate (β = 0.557; p < 0.001). A paradoxical effect of housing conditions was revealed: an increase in housing space per capita is associated with a decline in fertility (β = −0.218; p = 0.028), interpreted as an indicator of depopulation. Subjective factors exert an indirect influence through migration intentions and marital behavior. Cluster analysis identified four types of territories: demographically stable, aging with development potential, territories of contrasts, and demographically depressed. Spatial analysis revealed local effects: a «hot spot» around the regional center and «cold spots» on the periphery. The practical significance lies in substantiating the transition from a universal to a differentiated demographic policy that takes into account the typology of territories and age-specific differences in assessments of the quality of life of the population. The developed toolkit can be adapted for studying other regions.

KEYWORDS

quality of life of the population, fertility, spatial development, municipal districts, factor analysis, cluster analysis, regression modeling, territorial typology, demographic policy, Tambov region

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elena Yu. Merkulova

Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Director of the Center for Spatial Development of Territories and Quality of Life of the Population, Derzhavin Tambov State University.

REFERENCES

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