Exploring Current Social Issues in Russia

Spanning across two continents, Russia is renowned for its unique social customs, cultures, and, of course, its colorful history. Today, however, there are many challenges facing Russia—some of which have existed for many years, while some are unfamiliar to both its indigenous population and to foreign visitors alike. This article will explore some of the current social issues in Russia, lending an insight into why the country is facing such difficulties in the modern age.

What Are the Main Social Issues?

Russia is facing an array of interconnected social challenges that are weighing down its citizens and creating difficulty in myriad facets of life. These challenges range from problems of poor education and seriously weak healthcare conditions, to drug addiction, poverty, and homelessness.

The World Bank of Russia has reported that the median monthly wage in 2018 was 28,098 rubles – equivalent to just under $400 USD. Statistics show this is not enough to cover living costs, let alone the costs of medical expenses, school tuition and other important provisions for a family. As a result, many are living in poverty and without access to the necessary resources to sustain a healthy social life.

Unemployment is also a common issue in Russia, and this has been rapidly increasing in the past few years. The World Bank reports that it has increased by 44.4% in the first quarter of 2020 in comparison to the same period in 2019.

Russia also has a disproportionately low life expectancy rate compared to other countries in Europe and other highly developed countries. It is often caused by chronic illnesses such as TB and AIDS, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. It has been reported that alcohol-related deaths in men account for almost half of all deaths in the country – making it one of the world’s highest rates of death related to alcohol.

In addition to these more common problems, Russia also faces indigenous social issues, such as indifference to the stigmas associated with war, suicide and other mental health issues. It is also plagued by corruption and a lack of official accountability in terms of criminal activity in both cities and regions.

What Prevents Russia from Addressing its Challenges?

It is no secret that Russia has a long history of lengthy bureaucracy and extreme authoritarian rule, and this has become an obstacle in the way of social progress. The country’s current lack of democratic structures and limited access to the rule of law are often cited as reasons why social issues persist – with too much power in the hands of too few.

Russia is also a highly segregated nation, with a large divide between the wealthy and the poor. This creates major disparities between what is available to each group. As a result, those in the lower class have much less access to education opportunities, healthcare, justice systems and other fundamental services.
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These characteristics often result in limited action or simply the lack of social justice for people living in poverty or unable to meet their basic needs.

Will There Be Progress?

Despite the difficulties posed by its controversial history, Russia is still considered to be gradually developing its identity as a modern society. More and more, both the public and the private sector are starting to collaborate to help combat some of the most pressing issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and unequal access to healthcare.
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The government is now actively involved in the nation’s welfare through the expansion of health care and basic needs programmes, while the private sector has recently created incentives to help employees develop new skills and create better job opportunities. Barriers to free thought and free flow of information are slowly being disintegrated, and the digital revolution is beginning to have an impact on providing more access to education and information within the larger sectors of the population.

Despite the considerable challenges that persist in Russian society, there is also an opportunity to create positive improvements, and to transform the historical stereotypes surrounding the nation into something positive, progressive and equitable.