Two-thirds of Russian families (65%) do not have any savings and live from paycheck to paycheck. These are the findings of a survey conducted by Levada center in April of this year.
To create and increase savings, according to sociologists, can afford it, of course, groups with high incomes. And only two of 10 families with low income, which is barely enough for food, have at least some savings. The size of the savings the average household in Russia, the average though is 140-210 thousand RUB However, half of the respondents keep “under the mattress” is a much more modest sum — less than 56.5 thousand rubles.
Only 21% of respondents believe that now is a good time for savings. While 32% hold the opposite opinion. “Regular studies by the Levada Center indicate that in 2018, there has been a worsening of social well-being. It could be affected by the announcement of the pension reform, the tangible growth of prices and strengthening of the tax burden”, — noted in the study.
Do not feel the Russians and optimism about the next year. Only 11% believe that the opportunities for savings we will soon have more than now.
In the Kremlin, according to the press Secretary of President Dmitry Peskov, familiar with the data of a poll. They believe this material to study the Ministry.
Chief economist BCS Vladimir Tikhomirov said the main reason for the lack of savings low incomes, according to RBC. In 2013, real incomes fell by 8.3% and according to the I quarter of this year is 29.9 thousand rubles. And the average size of pensions, according to Rosstat, in March 2019 made 14129 thousand rubles. In fact, this is enough to cover current expenses, which continue to grow: food, utilities, transport.
According to Rosstat, real income in the first quarter of 2019, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year decreased by 2.0%, while real disposable incomes (incomes minus the obligatory payments, corrected by consumer price index) is 2.3%.
Head of retail savings, investment and Commission products of ROSBANK Anna tugay also explains the lack of savings of Russians a decline in real income. But also — and mentality too. “In Russia the situation is compounded by the following factors: high concentration of income in a small segment of the population (the Gini coefficient of Russia in line with indicators of Thailand and Paraguay), the mentality and the lack of a culture of long-term savings associated with economic instability and distrust,” she said to RIA Novosti .
However, she noted that the decline in real income kompensiruet demand with borrowed money: last year, according to Bank of Russia, volume of loans to the public increased by 22.8%.
For the normal life of the family of three must have an income of about 78 thousand rubles, according to the survey conducted by “ROMIR”. However, a quarter of respondents are willing to live on the income from 45 to 60 thousand rubles. However, it is still more than the average wage, which, according to Rosstat, amounted to 42,5 thousand roubles in the first quarter of 2019.
However, Professor Russian Academy of national economy, economist Alexander Deryugin believes that the lack of savings may be even a positive indicator. In his opinion, people are inclined to dramatize the situation.
“We need to understand what prevents them from saving money. Maybe they are sitting in loans for apartments and cars. But then, they can only rejoice,” said he.
Independent financial expert Anton Shabanov in an interview with “SP” also said that the establishment of savings of Russians hampered by the lack of “free” money.
— At us even the official statistics already admits that for many years there is a fall in real incomes. In absolute terms, we might earn as much as earn. But prices are rising faster and the purchasing power of money in Russia falls. Some live on borrowed funds, there is the issue of over-indebtedness.
“SP”: — Can we say that people dramatize the situation, saying they have no savings? This is linked to the payments on the loans?
— If quite simple to assume that real disposable income is the income which decreases constantly to the inflation rate. Now to inflation you add another percentage on the loan. I have a simple question: is it easy for people to not just beat inflation in income growth, but also the interest on the loan to pay? To put it mildly — difficult.
“SP”: — what income to really save for a “rainy day”?
— It depends on structure of-pocket costs. It’s one thing when you live alone. Another — family.
In addition, an important region of residence and the like. There are no universal numbers. It is considered for each individual. The question is that the General statistics for a long time shows that real incomes are falling.
Remember the fairy tale “Alice in Wonderland”: in order to stay in place, need to run. But to move forward you have to run twice as fast. Unfortunately, we are now in the same situation. To happiness was some amount acceptable to us for money, it is necessary to run twice faster than real inflation rates. Then it is possible to stay at least for pregenet level of financial well-being.
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