Poverty in the Arctic regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): analysis of prospects for reduction in the level by 2030

The author of the paper analyzes the prospects for the poverty level reduction in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and its Arctic regions in terms of achieving the national development goals of the Russian Federation by 2030. On the basis of official statistics and data from open sources, the factors and the downside risks to the socio-economic situation of the people of the region are assessed. The paper considers measures poverty reduction, provided for in the “Strategy for the socio-economic development of the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for the period until 2035”. The conclusion is made about the limited effectiveness of such methods of improvement in this area as a social contract, stimulation of self-employment and employment in traditional economic sectors and a low feasibility of a twofold decrease in the poverty level in the Arctic zone of the Republic by 2030. The possibility of achieving this goal exists only if there are system changes in the socio-economic sphere and the comprehensive effort at all levels of government. The importance of an equal distribution of income for the accelerated reduction of the number of citizens, who are unable to meet the social and generally accepted standards in society owing to a lack of money, is noted.