The Russian government is pulling big strings to fund new social programs on Putin’s orders. Here’s where the two trillion rubles are going, at a glance.
In his January 2020 address to the Federal Assembly, President Vladimir Putin didn’t just announce radical constitutional reforms. He also promised the Russian people a series of social welfare boosts, from free hot lunches for elementary schoolers to increased allowances for families with children. To make those proposals a reality, the new executive cabinet led by Mikhail Mishustin has introduced a State Duma bill amending the federal budget. In the next three years, the cabinet intends to spend more than two trillion rubles ($31.2 billion), an increase of approximately 13 percent over the social spending already allocated by the federal government. Here’s where those two trillion rubles are headed:
2020
2021
2022
Monthly payments for guardians of children ages three through seven
159.2
289.7
301.3
Maternity allowances
122.4
210.7
265.8
Two-thirds compensation for income lost due to investment tax deductions for organizations
30
30
30
Allowances for lead classroom teachers (5,000 rubles each)
25.4
76.3
76.3
Hot lunches for elementary schools
21.8
43.6
43.6
Primary and secondary school expansions
20.3
47.3
44.5
Financial aid for low-income individuals
10
10
10
Modernization projects for primary and secondary schools focused on the arts
4.2
4.2
4.2
Modernization projects for primary healthcare
50
50
Expansion of ‘social contract’ welfare programs to all Russian citizens
22.2
22.2
Increased enrollment targets for colleges and universities
2.5
11.2
TOTAL
393.3
786.5
859.1
All amounts in millions of rubles. Source: explanatory note for bill number 904447-7.