Suburban district in the Moscow region. Photo: Daria Ukhova/Oxfam Economic inequality in Russiaskewed income and wealth distributionincreased radically in the beginning of the transition from a state socialist system to a capitalist market economy. In the 2000s, despite significant economic growth and decreases in levels of poverty, income inequality has remained persistently high and has even increased. Spatial and social inequalities further exacerbate income inequality. As a result of these

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... rocesses, inequality in access to healthcare, education, housing, jobs, and law has also increased. Since the mid-2000s, the Russian government has started to make attempts to address high inequality, focussing on regional economic development and redistributive transfers to low-income and vulnerable regions and people. However, without addressing labour market challenges, realizing the redistributive potential of the tax system and public services, improving anti-discrimination legislation, and addressing the problems of corruption and an inequitable law enforcement system, the fight against inequality in contemporary Russia is unlikely to succeed.