Living on a low income as a systemic impediment to socio-economic development of Ukraine

Author(s):  
NATALIIA TOLSTYKH

The article sheds light on various approaches that seek to determine how widespread poverty and life on a low income are in Ukraine nowadays. As a social phenomenon, poverty has traditionally been associated with destitution and living below the subsistence level set by the government. However, the author holds the view that life on a low income not only means living near or below the poverty line. There is another part of Ukraine’s population that should also be considered needy — those whose income is less than twice as the subsistence level, and most of them are also subject to socio-economic deprivation. Drawing upon the findings of a social survey conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine in 2019, the paper analyses the standard of living among different income groups. Particular attention is given to consumption patterns and social well-being of respondents in the lower income brackets. From the data, it can be inferred that living conditions of many Ukrainians are inadequate to sustain and develop human potential; furthermore, the low-income households have literally to struggle every day to make ends meet. The author brings into focus the main macroeconomic factors contributing to this situation and its adverse effect on the nation’s social potential. Some of the most common social consequences of living on a low income have been identified, such as limited consumption, a person’s dissatisfaction with life and his/her position in society. The above-mentioned survey also provides the estimates of how much the current subsistence level (with regard to Ukraine) should be. Having been made by different socio-demographic and occupational groups of Ukraine’s population, these estimates are a useful source of information — given that subsistence level is considered the basic social standard. According to the survey, all these figures are at variance with the official subsistence level, which is noticeably lower, and this indicates that the current subsistence level needs an upward revision. Today, the overall socio-economic situation in Ukraine is unfavourable for neoliberal economic reforms initiated by the government. Since these policies are primarily designed to reduce the role of state in managing the economy and implementing social welfare programmes, following this path will inevitably result in the entrenchment of mass poverty and in a major loss of Ukraine’s human potential, as well as labour force. The author argues that tackling the country’s chronic low income problem is only possible if a new strategy for socio-economic development is adopted, where social welfare is prioritised.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbadebo Collins Adeyanju ◽  
Oluyomi A. Osobajo ◽  
Afolabi Otitoju ◽  
Olushola Ajide

AbstractClimate change remains a pivotal area and a persistent challenging issue for deliberation among the nations of the world. Most especially in a country like Nigeria, where fossil fuel remains a pivotal source of socio-economic development and well-being of the society. Transforming the Nigeria electricity sector into a source for reducing the country’s carbon emission remains a significant challenge to policymakers, i.e. the Government. This is attributed to the fact that the nation’s primary energy sources come from traditional biomass and fossil fuel such as coal, and natural oil and gas, which has contributed significantly to the level of carbon emissions. In this paper, we explored and identified the potentials, barriers and option for renewable energy in Nigeria. The findings of the review revealed that the Nigerian electricity sector is crucial to reducing the carbon emission generated in the country. Likewise, it is of no doubt that Nigeria is endowed with a different mix of renewable energy sources. Hence, exploring and developing these renewable energy sources will aid the effort of the government in reducing the country’s input to the global carbon emission, instrumental to the socio-economic development of the country and improved well-being of the society at large. Also, policy recommendations to foster renewable energy development were identified.


Author(s):  
Halyna Voznyak ◽  
Iryna Zherebylo

Modern changes in the economy of Ukraine caused by the socio-political situation in the country as well as a number of initiated reforms encourage scientific exploration of the socio-economic development of the country. The purpose of the article is to conduct a problem-oriented analysis of the social component of the economy of Ukraine. The article presents the results of a study of socio-economic development of Ukraine during the past five years. The following areas of analysis were selected: labor markets, poverty, unemployment, income / expenditures of the population. Low growth rates of the subsistence level are proven to be causing a decrease in social standards, which negatively affects the living standards of the population in Ukraine; a significant drop in real income of the population in 2014-2015 aggravated the purchasing power of the population; the increase in the share of wages and social benefits in the structure of the population's income during the analyzed period is an indication of the excessive dependence of the population's well-being on state support, as well as the absence of the so-called middle class in the country. The visible growth in the unemployment rate is caused by the military actions in the East of Ukraine, the deepening of the financial and economic crisis and the deterioration of the socio-political situation in the country. Emphasis is placed on differentiation in wages in economic sectors. Low level of the average salary in the budget sphere is proven to be caused by the peculiarities of calculating the size of the minimum salary on the basis of the subsistence minimum, which ultimately leads to the “depreciation” of the work of employees of the budgetary sphere and the reduction of the cost of highly skilled labor. Challenges to further development of Ukraine have been identified, such as excessive unemployment, poor level of remuneration, the level of social protection, military conflict in Eastern Ukraine among the key ones.


Author(s):  
Elena Evgenevna Mashyanova ◽  
Elena Aleksandrovna Smirnova

In conditions of instability and inconsistency of socio-economic processes of territorial development, the main task of scientific research and practical actions is to form the financial security of regions. Each territory must adapt to the complex conditions of political and socio-economic instability and solve complex problems that pose threats to their development. Indicators of socio-economic development of each region are characterized by the quality of life of the population, the level of satisfaction of needs and conditions for the development of human potential. Currently, it is important to analyze and evaluate indicators that characterize social and economic well-being in the Republic of Crimea, as well as their comparison with indicators of other subjects of the Russian Federation. The paper assesses the level of socio-economic development of the Republic of Crimea, taking into account financial security. The main indicators, the rating of the socio-economic situation and the rating on the quality of life of the southern Federal district, as well as the share of subjects in the total turnover of organizations and the volume of investment in fixed assets by regions of the southern Federal district are presented. The indicators of socio-economic development of the Republic of Crimea that ensure the financial security of the region are determined. The article analyzes the macroeconomic trends of the Republic of Crimea. It is determined that in order to improve the socio-economic development and financial security of the Republic of Crimea, it is necessary to develop effective investment programs that will attract additional capital to meet the needs of the region in its social and economic development.


Ekonomika ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vita Karpuškienė

The government of Lithuania actively increases the minimum wage in 2012–2014: in-one-and-a-half year period it increased by 22 percent – from 246 EUR (850 LTL) to 300 EUR (1035 LTL). It is promised to increase the minimum wage in 2015 as well. The amplification of the competitiveness of the economy is one of the main conditions of economic development. This is emphasized by economists, Lithuanian government, and European Commission. The core issues of the competitiveness of Lithuania are the energy sector and the labour market. Such statement is provided by the European Commission in the 2014 report on Industry competitiveness. Therefore, the aim of this article is to evaluate the economic and social consequences of the increased minimum wage and their impact on the competitiveness of the labour force. In the first part of the article, changes of the minimum wage and their economic and social consequences are analysed. In the rest part of the article, the impact of these consequences on the competitiveness is evaluated.


Author(s):  
T. A. Nekrasova

The article deals with theoretical and economic, social and practical aspects of improving the quality of life as a target criterion for the development of modern Russia. Approved in 2008, "The Concept of Long-Term Social and Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the Period to 2020" contains tasks to achieve high standards of human well-being and social well-being, the formation of a leadership and innovation economy, the expansion of economic freedom and maintenance of social justice, the transition to an innovative socially-oriented type of development. The transition from a resource-resource model of the economy to an innovation requires the development of human potential and the improvement of the quality of life of the population at the level of indicators characteristic of developed countries. In the article, a comparative analysis of the target targets for the development of human potential established by the Concept was carried out, with their actual values published by the Federal Service for State Statistics: the average annual increase in the gross domestic product, the population with cash incomes below the subsistence level, public spending on education, public expenditure on health , the dynamics of the coefficient of funds. The conducted analysis showed that the considered indicators of the development of human potential and the quality of life of the population have not been achieved at present. This is due to unfavorable external and internal factors affecting the Russian economy. The decline in oil prices and the imposition of sanctions against Russia exacerbated structural problems in the economy, which resulted in 2014-2016. to a depreciation of the national currency, an increase in inflation, a decrease in consumer demand, an outflow of capital and a fall in real incomes of the population. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the Concept of Russia's social and economic development taking into account the prevailing macroeconomic situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-114
Author(s):  
Iheoma O. Iwuanyanwu

The relationship between migration and socio-economic development as a whole cannot be less emphasized, especially when the movement involves economically productive individuals. Migration can aid economic growth and development of both the regions of origin and destination. This study focused on those migrants who move to work and earn a living in Akpabuyo local government, Cross River State, Nigeria, as well as their relationship with the indigenes of the area. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed to the migrants and non-migrants alike in a multi-staged process. Findings from the analyses revealed that migrant labourers contribute significantly to the overall socio-economic development of Akpabuyo and that the socio-economic well-being of migrants and non-migrants differ significantly. This was proven by the statistical result of the paired sample t-test which compared; the number of hours put into work by migrants and non-migrant (t= -3.4, p=0.001), the perception of commensurability of time and energy put into work and income derived (t=5.4, p=0.0), average monthly income (t=0.0, p=1.0) and sufficiency of income generated by migrants and non-migrants in taking care of education and healthcare needs (t=4.0, p=0.0).The study recommended that the government should set up institutions and facilities that would foster socio-economic development in Akpabuyo LGA such that can be affordable to both migrants and otherwise and encourage them to utilize same such as schools, low cost housing, health care centers, cottage industries, etc. Likewise, since migrants are key to the socio-economic development of Akpabuyo LGA, the inflow of migrants to the area should be encouraged.


2020 ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Olesya Tomchuk

The article highlights the problems and prospects of human development, which is the basis for the long-term strategies of social and economic growth of different countries and regions at the present stage. Submitting strategies of this type provides an opportunity to focus on individual empowerment and to build a favorable environment for effective management decisions in the field of forming, maintaining, and restoring human potential. The analysis of the Vinnytsia region human potential dynamics in the regional system of social and economic development factors was carried out. Application of generalized assessment of the regional human development index components allowed the identification of the main trends that characterize the formation of human potential of the territory, including the reproduction of the population, social environment, comfort and quality of life, well-being, decent work, and education. The article emphasizes that despite some positive changes in the social and economic situation of the region and in assessing the parameters of its human development level relative to other regions of Ukraine, Vinnytsia region is now losing its human potential due to negative demographic situation and migration to other regions and countries. The main reason for such dynamics is proven to be related to the outdated structure of the region's economy, the predominance of the agricultural sector, the lack of progressive transformations in the development of high-tech fields of the economy. An important factor is the low level of urbanization of the region, which leads to the spread of less attractive working conditions and less comfortable living conditions. The key factors that cause the growth of urbanization in the region have been identified, including the significant positive impact of the transport and social infrastructure expansion, the lack of which in rural areas leads to a decrease in the level and comfort of life. Without progressive structural changes in the economy and the resettlement system, the loss of human potential will continue.


Author(s):  
Elena Pekhtereva ◽  

The review examines the results of the December 2020 official census of the population of China, the most populous country in the world. It is noted that the Chinese government is seriously concerned about the low rate of population growth. The authorities fear that a slowdown in population growth and its aging while the size of the labour force is decreasing may seriously slow down economic growth. The opinions and statements of analysts on the prospects of the demographic situation in China in the context of its socio-economic development are presented.


Author(s):  
Ekaterina M. Mishina ◽  
◽  

This article focuses on the analysis of the impact of socio-economic development indicators of Altai region and Oyrot autonomous region on the eve of the Great Purge (1935 — first half of 1937) on the regional intensity of repression. Employing statistical methods (regression analysis), the author verifies the hypothesis that in the areas with the highest level of well-being of the population, the level of repression was also higher. It is established that the turnover and expenditures per capita compared with other economic indicators had the greatest influence on repression levels in Altai and Oyrotia regions. Based on the results of the analysis of regional statistics, the author of the article puts forward a theory that the thesis proclaimed by the Bolsheviks to justify the failure of economic development by the actions of the “enemies” in practice seems untenable, since economically lagging regions were characterised by a relatively low level of repression. In the second part of the article, the author presents a typology of districts of Altai and Oyrotia regions based on the results of cluster analysis of various groups of socio-economic development indicators. Additionally, she substantiates the hypothesis about the influence of the spatial factor on the intensity of repression: the groups of regions of each individual cluster consist mainly of adjacent regions.


Author(s):  
Irina N. Titova

Effective implementation of regional policy is impossible without assessing the current environment of the region’s functioning, which is formed under the influence of internal factors. Among the many factors that determine the socio-economic development of the region, we have identified: human potential, innovation potential, investment potential, digitalization of the economy, production potential, quality of life and infrastructure development. Each of the selected factors can be characterized by using a system of statistical indicators. In regional forecasts, internal factors act as control parameters, changing them it is possible to find an opportunity to change the course and direction of socio-economic processes in the region. This explains the necessity and relevance of the study. The purpose of this article is to form a set of indicators to assess the factor load on the socio-economic development of the region and determine its vector. The method of factor analysis on an indicative basis was used for achieving this goal. The importance of factorial analysis lies, first of all, in the fact that its results will make it possible to assess the share of influence of each factor on the “level of socio-economic development of the region” and to develop appropriate tools for managing growth factors. Taking into account the formed system of indicators, an analysis of the Central Black Earth macroregion areas economic development was carried out. The greatest factor load on the socio-economic development of the region is exerted by the innovation potential, production potential and human potential of the region. As a result of the study, a matrix of the regions distribution by the level of socio-economic development was built, reflecting the position of the region in dynamics. During the study period, the Voronezh region occupies a leading position, and the Tambov region is an outsider region. In addition, for each region, growth factors and restrictions on the development of the region were identified, which must be taken into account when building regional forecasts.


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