Amount required for a standard and affluent lifestyle: Opinions from wealthy Russians revealed
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In a recent study by the Higher School of Economics in Russia, affluent residents and experts have revealed that a single person needs at least 250,000 rubles per month to live a comfortable and affluent lifestyle in 2025. To be considered truly wealthy, an income of 500,000 rubles or more per month is the threshold[1].
This survey, conducted among the top 10% income earners in Russia, highlights a significant income gap. Despite being in the top bracket, 75% of the respondents considered their financial situation as "average," indicating high expectations for wealth[5].
In contrast, average monthly wages in Russia are much lower, around 97,000 rubles, and many Russians have limited savings, which constrains their ability to live affluent lifestyles[5]. Thus, the perception of a "rich" life according to wealthy Russians is significantly higher than the average population's earnings or living standards.
A salary of 250,000 rubles is above average but does not put one in the top management or oligarch ranks. For a "normal life", a family needs approximately 250,000 rubles per month, while for a "rich life", a family needs approximately 500,000 rubles per month[1].
Economist Dennis Raksha notes that the gap between desired and actual income is natural. He also mentioned that a salary of 250,000 rubles is not considered astronomical[2]. The wage gap between Russia's richest and poorest workers is 12 times[3].
People with such an income have different spending habits. Some buy groceries from cheap supermarkets or premium retailers, eat at fast food restaurants or expensive ones, and receive dental care at state clinics or elite clinics[4].
The strategies for achieving desires, whether for a prince or a beggar, are either earning more or spending less. For those earning 250,000 rubles or more, this could mean pursuing careers in various industries such as being a mid-level manager in logistics for a company involved in parallel imports[6].
References: 1. Russia's Affluent Class Needs 250,000 Rubles a Month for a 'Normal Life' 2. Raksha, D. (2021). The Gap Between Desired and Actual Income is Natural 3. Wage Gap in Russia 4. Spending Habits of the Affluent in Russia 5. Average Monthly Wage in Russia 6. Careers and Salaries in Russia
In the context of personal-finance and business, an individual earning 250,000 rubles per month may be considered affluent, yet they might still aspire for more income to live a truly wealthy lifestyle, as revealed in the survey. To achieve this, they could consider pursuing careers in various industries, such as mid-level management in logistics for a company involved in parallel imports, as suggested in the study on careers and salaries in Russia.
