Features of the standard of living and labor situation in households with children and without them

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve public policy in order to address current issues concerning Russians’ standard of living and quality of life in the context of new risks posed by the socio-economic impact of a growing external pressure on the country. The article presents findings of a study that identifies the features of the standard of living of households with children (target group) and without children (control group), and considers the role of the labor situation of household members. The standard of living of households was considered through its modeling by per capita money income and by quality of housing conditions that were assessed with the help of social standards. We reveal that the most common models for households with children are those of low and lowest standard of living, which are less typical for households without children. Households with children are much more likely, in comparison to households without children, to face the most vulnerable situation in terms of income and quality of housing conditions. The article considers the labor situation of economically active members of households with different levels of per capita money income. We reveal the differences in the level of employment of persons aged 15 years old and older, with different income levels, living in households with and without children, depending on the age group. We assess the level of income from main employment, which ensures the positioning of households by standard of living (taking into account the actual dependent burden) and reveal that the presence of children increases the risks of households entering the lower strata by standard of living. We consider main reasons for the unemployment of persons aged 15 years old and older (by age group) living in households with children with different income levels and also determine “reserves” for increasing the level of employment in households with children and, as a consequence, their income level.