New Methodology Reduces Russian Income Gap Figure

Average Russian incomes were lower than Rosstat reports indicated for the previous year. While Rosstat reported an average monthly income of 75,000 rubles, this figure is inflated by high earnings in wealthy regions like Moscow, Chukotka, Yamalo-Nenets, Magadan, and Sakhalin. Excluding these regions would result in a lower average income, according to the source. The average income of most Russians was lower than figures reported by Rosstat. According to Rosstat, citizens earned an average of 75,000 rubles per month last year. The source noted that excluding these areas changes the income calculation. Average monthly income for Russian citizens was 74,000 rubles last year, according to a report by Sobstat. The discrepancy suggests that excluding the wealthiest regions significantly lowers the national average. A new calculation methodology for income disparity in Russia has resulted in a 0.05 reduction in the reported gap between wealthy and poor citizens. Jenny Rastel applied a different method that compares after-tax income while accounting for regional population income variations. The change in formula follows the introduction of 500 new measures this year. The new approach reportedly provides a more accurate picture of the income divide.