Putin says Russia’s poverty level at 11%, should be lower

MOSCOW, Jul 18 (PRIME) -- The main purpose of Russia’s government is to decrease the level of poverty, which dropped to 11% in 2021, but the speed is insufficient, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on strategic development and the national projects on Monday.

“One of our main national goals, we permanently speak about it, is improvement of the financial situation of our citizens, growth of their incomes, specially of the people, who leave with small incomes. That means that the main purpose is to reduce poverty,” he said.

“Last year, the (poverty) level fell to 11%. Yes, there is some improvement, but its speed is insufficient.”

Putin said that Russia’s expectancy of life topped 73 years in April–June, which is a good result, but the government should aim at providing the life expectancy of 78 years by 2030.

In 2021, 92.6 million square meters of residential housing were commissioned, which marked a rise of 18.7% on the year, and the number of issued mortgage loans amounted to almost 2 millions, he also said.

Putin said that Russia is unable to develop separately from the entire world, and it will not despite the sanctions.

Russia should attract private businesses to technological projects, he added.

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