Kolennikova N.D. Perception of social inequality in Russia: state and dynamics. In: Russian society and challenges of the time. Book Eight ...

Abstract

This chapter examines Russians' perceptions of social inequality in the context of the decade from 2014 to 2024. Despite a series of socioeconomic upheavals, Russian society retains the structure of a "subjective middle class," with the majority of citizens (62.0% in 2024) identifying themselves as belonging to the middle of the social hierarchy. Self-assessment of social status is shown to be closely linked to objective factors, such as income and professional status. The role of non-material factors in Russians' assessments of their status—administrative resources, professional affiliation, and education—is also increasing, while the significance of high income, conversely, is somewhat diminishing. The influence of parental status also impacts subjective assessments of social status, indicating the intergenerational reproduction of social positions, which, however, coexists with significant upward and downward social mobility. The chapter devotes particular attention to the gap between Russians' current position on the social ladder and their status aspirations. Over the past decade, these aspirations have grown significantly and often appear unrealistic: more than half of the population would like to occupy the highest rungs of the social ladder. Differences in lifestyle, leisure practices, and specific problems between polar status groups are also examined. A disturbing trend is the depletion of resources and the narrowing diversity of leisure activities, even among the more affluent segments of the population. The conclusion highlights a paradoxical situation: despite the crises of recent years, subjective assessments of status have not only not declined but actually increased. This disconnect between growing demands and the actual opportunities to meet them creates a zone of social tension and is one of the key challenges to ensuring stability in Russian society.