Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that most Russians live paycheck to paycheck, a point he emphasized during a gathering with winners and mentors of the All-Russian championship for professional skills in the program labeled “professionals.” The statement was reported by RIA News and reflected a wider discussion about household finances across the country.
He noted that even in households where financial well‑being is relatively high, the majority of citizens still live from one paycheck to the next. At the same time, he acknowledged that there are significant numbers of wealthy and very wealthy individuals, highlighting a clear contrast in the country’s economic landscape.
Putin added a critique of affluence, saying that wealthy citizens sometimes create artificial barriers for their own children by removing them from their comfort zones. He argued that exposure to challenges and striving for something beyond easy gains is essential for personal growth and resilience.
As of December 14, he indicated a forecast that real wages in Russia could rise by about 8 percent by year’s end, signaling a potential improvement in purchasing power for many households amid ongoing economic conditions.
Prior to these remarks, a survey conducted by the job search service Superjob suggested that about half of Russian companies planned to raise their employees’ wages, signaling a favorable trend in compensation discussions across various sectors.
Looking back at the recent period, there has been ongoing attention to salary expectations for 2024, with discussions focusing on what workers anticipate earning as the labor market adapts to shifting economic realities and the broader inflationary environment.