Russia's poverty rate falls to 6.7% as social programmes show results
Russia's poverty rate dropped to 6.7% by the end of 2025, showing a slight improvement from the previous year. This decline reflects ongoing efforts to support vulnerable households through targeted social programmes. One key initiative, social contracts, has helped many families lift themselves out of financial hardship.
Official figures reveal a 0.4 percentage point decrease in poverty compared to 2024. Among those benefiting, 44% of Russians who entered social contracts managed to escape poverty. The success rate was even higher for large families, with half of them breaking free from financial struggles through the same scheme.
In February 2026, consumer loan rejections fell by 1.4 percentage points, reaching 75%. This suggests slightly easier access to credit for some households. The government has also set ambitious targets for social services. A new industry-specific programme aims to boost productivity in medical-social assessments and welfare provision. By 2030, authorities plan to increase the number of social services delivered per worker by 16%. Achieving this will require a significant rise in labour efficiency across the sector.
The latest data highlights gradual progress in reducing poverty through structured support. With social contracts proving effective and loan access improving marginally, more households may see financial relief. Meanwhile, the push for higher productivity in social services could further strengthen welfare delivery in the coming years.
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