Comparative Evaluation of Child Benefits in the Regions of Russia

Abstract

This article focuses on comparative analysis of child benefits paid in Russia at the regional level. The research is based on methods widely used by Alfred Kahn, Sheila Kamerman, John Ditch, Jonathan  Bradshaw et al. for comparative analysis of child benefit systems in  different countries. Although method of model families is not free  from some weaknesses (because it gives information on benefits  that families should receive rather than information on benefits that  they actually get) still it provides recent data on characteristics,  similarities and differences of child benefit systems of Russian  regions. Previously child benefit packages in Russia were analyzed  by several researches - Lilia Ovcharova, Daria Popova, etc. The  author contributed through conducting statistical study of сhild  benefit packages paid at the regional level. These packages include  all transfers targeted at families with children (except of lump-sum benefits which do not significantly affect family welfare). It is stated that model families differ in earnings level and demographic  structure (couples or single mothers, with different number of  children). The article comments on quantitative characteristics of  child benefit packages for a set of model families from 37 regions.  Comparative analysis of the level of child benefits (in absolute terms  as well as to the minimum subsistence level and average wage)  allows to determine which types of families are first to gain from  regional child benefits systems and which remain vulnerable to the  risk of poverty.