|
JOBS | TENDERS | DATING |
|
|
THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 22:30 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 22:30 |
|
The stark social cost of Russia’s economic crisis was exposed this week when new statistics revealed a 30% increase in the number of people living in poverty. According to Russia’s state committee on statistics, the figure for Russians living below the poverty line went up to 24.5-million during the first three months of this year -- a steep increase from 18.5-million by the end of 2008. The rise follows years in which Russians saw their living standards improve under the former president Vladimir Putin (now prime minister), largely thanks to a buoyant oil price, and Russia’s status as the world’s largest gas exporter. This improvement has now come to a juddering halt. Instead, more Russian families than ever before are sliding into poverty, defined as an adult income of less than 5 497 roubles (R1 356) a month. Russia has suffered as much as any major economy from the global crisis; its economy shrank by about 9.5% in the first quarter of this year. It has pumped millions of dollars into bailing out its banking sector and helping strategic businesses. -- © Guardian News & Media 2009  CONTINUES BELOW TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
comment guidelines
|
Client Media Releases
IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER
SUBSCRIBE: - Paper edition - iPad edition (NEW!) - Kindle edition - Digital edition Read stories online  @mailandguardian - Top stories & newsflashes @NicDawes - M&G editor Nic Dawes @ChrisRoperZA - Editor, M&G Online @amabhungane - M&G Centre for Investigative Journ @mgfeed - Our whole news feed Advertisements |
Contact Us | About Us | Story Tip-offs | Social media policy | Online Advertising | Print Advertising | Subscriptions | Topics A-Z | Mobile Sites | Privacy Policy | RSS Feed
All material © Mail & Guardian Online. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
 |
 |