The share of middle class citizens, that is, with an income of 39 to 99 thousand rubles per month, in the period 2014-2017 decreased from 37% to 30%, according to the specialists of the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis of Alfa Bank. The 2014 crisis dealt the biggest blow to this population.
Experts attributed Russians with an income of 39 to 99 thousand rubles a month to the "middle class", additionally taking into account the behavioral characteristics and suggesting that this segment of the population should demonstrate a greater inclination to the availability of durable goods - cars, in particular, reports TASS.
At the same time, the wealthiest category of citizens experienced a noticeable jump in income - by an average of 11%. There was also a moderate increase in incomes among the poor - about 4%. Thus, experts conclude, over the past 10 years, the middle class of Russians has begun to lose its economic importance and become more vulnerable, as well as reduced spending on recreation, education and health care.
Analysts also tracked the decline in interest of the middle class in credit resources. This is due to the accumulated debt burden. From 2014 to 2018, interest payments on debt for the middle class in nominal terms increased by about 20%, experts say.
An analysis of employment showed that over the past 15 years, the middle class has sharply shifted towards the public sector. At the same time, since 2003, the middle class has significantly increased its employment in trade, restaurant activities, finance, real estate and healthcare. At the same time, if in the public sector in 2003 these segments accounted for 10% of employment of the middle class, then by the end of 2017 this figure increased to 15%.