REFORMS OF CHINA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET FOR MEDICAL SERVICES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article provides an overview of the state and problems of the healthcare system in China. Since 2009 a large-scale reform of the national healthcare system has been underway, aimed at overcoming the uneven provision of medical services to residents of different regions and different segments of the Chinese population, at reducing the number of chronic diseases and increasing healthcare spendings. Some aspects of the functioning of the medical services market in China, the second largest after the corresponding market in the United States, are also considered. The achievements of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry in the production of vaccines to prevent coronavirus are noted.

FOOD SECURITY IN RUSSIA IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate conditions remain one of the main risk factors for domestic agriculture, and the consequences of global climate change are ambiguous in terms of prospects for agricultural production in Russia. This paper analyzes the impact of climate change on the country’s food security from the point of view of its self-sufficiency in grain primarily. Specific conditions prevailing on the Crimean peninsula are also considered.

ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE DAMAGE

The types and scales of the most significant natural disasters are determined. The problems of forming a statistical database on natural disasters are considered, as well as methodological issues of economic measurement of the consequences of natural disasters. Particular attention is paid to the study of the impact of climate change on the financial sector of the economy of the affected regions.

DEMOGRAPHY PROBLEMS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CHINA

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.

THE WORLD BANK ABOUT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: THE EVOLUTION OF APPROACHES

The World Bank has made an important contribution to shaping the global agenda for reducing poverty, increasing prosperity and promoting sustainable development. The review examines the main milestones in changes of the World Bank’s activities in the field of social development. The evolution of the organization’s approaches to solving the problem of poverty reduction as one of the key obstacles to socio-economic development is outlined.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON THE LABOUR MARKETS OF ASEAN MEMBER STATES (REVIEW)

The review examines the implications of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor markets of ASEAN countries. Shows that measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, taken by the governments of the alliance countries, such as lockdowns and isolation, have led to a decrease in economic activity and in employment. Notes that the most vulnerable groups in the labor market of the ASEAN countries in the context of the crisis provoked by COVID-19 are labor migrants and persons employed in the informal sector of the economy.

GERMAN ECONOMY IN THE PERIOD OF CORONAVIRUS: CONSEQUENCES AND NEW CHALLENGES

The pandemic has had a negative impact on the socio-economic situation of many German citizens. Measures taken by government bodies to contain the spread of coronavirus infection significantly limit economic activity. The coronavirus crisis sets new challenges for the German federal government in terms of maintaining employment, stabilizing social security and strengthening the manufacturing sector. The paper examines the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic for the German economy and the prospects for its development. Pays special attention to the relationship between the rates of economic recovery and the quality of human capital.

THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CHINA’S ECONOMY: 2020 RESULTS

In 2020, China was able not only to effectively respond to the challenge associated with the threat of the spread of COVID-19 and to gain social and economic stability in the difficult conditions, but also to reach new targets. China’s specific experience in coping with the economic consequences of the pandemic cannot be fully transferred to foreign countries, but is an important example for the development of possible patterns of interaction between the state, the economy and society in the face of the crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

MORTALITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RISK REDUCTION DIRECTIONS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR 2020

The mortality indicators of the world's population in 2019 and 2020 are analyzed. Despite the approximate character and inaccuracy of the available information for 2020, the analysis allows to present the overall picture and preliminarily estimate the demographic losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the problems that have been identified in national health systems during the fight against coronavirus infection are considered. The experience gained serves as a basis for proposals for improving the healthcare system in Russia.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF "SMART CITIES"

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to people’s everyday life, social and economic relations. One of its most notable results was a dramatic increase in the trend of digitalization. The concept of «smart city», which implies the digitalization of the urban environment in order to increase the efficiency of the use of municipal resources and the quality of public and municipal services, the formation of new mobility, new forms of consumption, and ensuring greater security, has acquired new relevance. This article is devoted to the analysis of the three most significant trends in the development of «smart cities» in the context of the pandemic: digital control, digital democracy and new forms of employment.