What we know about the challenges of living in Russia.
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Poverty
In a nutshell, 40% of Russian people live in poverty - a figure that was based on a public survey. Incomes are extremely low in comparison to their cost of living. The elderly work multiple jobs to top up pensions and families on duel incomes do not have enough. 60% of Russians report spending over half their income on food and in 2019, an official poll found that one in three Russian households couldn’t afford a second pair of shoes needed for a different season.
Incomes in Russia
Minimum wage/monthly for full-time work: £224* 22,440 Russian RUB.
Minimum state pension/monthly: £153* 15,250 RUB
Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Most of the Russian healthcare system is ill equipped to respond to addictions. Many treatment centres still use out-dated 'cold turkey' approaches rather than evidence based modern approaches. Relapse rates after treatment in Russia are as high as 90%, whereas in the UK they are 40-60%.
Domestic Violence
There are only 50 shelters in Russia offering women refuge from domestic violence (serving a population of 16.5 million victims) and the risk of dying as a victim of domestic violence in Russia is 12 times higher than in the UK.
This video on the domestic violence situation in Russia is a sad reality for many Russian women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUVoIODBEz8&t=10s
For more information and statistics on domestic violence in Russia, click here.
Russia
Female victims of domestic violence annually = 16.5 million (According to activists in 2019)
21% of females are victims each year.
231 women are killed weekly by domestic violence (statistics reported in 2013 by a Russian news agency).
United Kingdom
Female victims of domestic violence annually = 1.4 million (2023 figures based on Office for National Statistics data)
5% of females are victims each year.
2 women are killed weekly by domestic violence (Homicide Index Data from The Home Office, 2021-23)
Homelessness
Although Russia does not release statistics on homelessness, the Shelter (Nochlezhka) organisation, the oldest group in Russia devoted to helping the homeless, says there are now approximately two million homeless and that their numbers are growing because of the war in Ukraine. Most organizations seem to agree that the primary causes of homelessness are poverty, family problems (addiction and violence) and a lack of social support.
Russia
1.46% of the Russian population are homeless (according to 2022 Validata survey) 2.13 million Russians
United Kingdom
0.53% of the UK population are homeless (according to a 2024 report by Shelter charity).
Orphans
The vast majority of Russian orphans are actually "social orphans," meaning their parents are still alive but unable to care for them. Reports estimate that 66-95% of orphans fall into this category, which understandably leaves each of these children with lasting trauma. The outlook for orphans after leaving the system has remained the same for many years; 10% commit suicide, 40% go to prison and 40% become alcoholics and drug addicts.
Russia
1.67% of children under 17 were formally placed into care In 2020. (equalling 514,869)
United Kingdom
0.65% of children under 17 were formally placed into care in England.
Suicide
Proportionally 3 times more people in Russia die by suicide each year in Russia than in the UK - quite a shocking difference. Like most countries, men are most likely to take their own lives and the younger population are more at risk.
Russia
24.47 people (per 100,000) commit suicide each year in Russia.
United Kingdom
8.47 people (per 100,000) commit suicide each year in the UK.
*Exchange rates used on this page are 1 GBP = 100 RUB. Values in GBP are rounded up or down to the nearest pound.