By Natalia Trapeznikova, Frank Media (Russia), 4/30/26 (Machine translation)

According to data published by Rosstat, the Gini coefficient in Russia stood at 0.422 by the end of 2025. It reflects the uneven distribution of income within society. Its value ranges from 0 to 1: the higher the value, the more unevenly wealth is distributed within society. Russia’s 2025 figure is the highest in the past 18 years; the last time income inequality in Russia reached this level was in 2007.

The Gini coefficient increased by 2.7% compared to 2024. This is the strongest growth trend in the past five years. For example, in 2024, the coefficient increased by 1.2% (to 0.410), in 2023 by 1.7% (to 0.405), and in 2021 by 0.7% (to 0.409). In 2022, the Gini coefficient decreased by 2.7% (to 0.398).

A new approach to an old question

Rosstat has introduced a new methodology for calculating the Gini coefficient, which takes into account the tax burden and regional differentiation. While the current calculation method uses income before income tax, the new methodology will use income remaining after taxes, accounting for interregional differences.Read alsoThe Central Bank recommended restructuring the debts of businesses affected by floods in southern Russia.

The new indicator will also be used to determine how effectively the Russian authorities have achieved the goals set in the presidential decree. According to the decree, the Gini coefficient should decrease to 0.37 by 2030 and to 0.33 by 2036.

The Gini coefficient calculated using the new methodology was 0.375, close to the target set for officials by Vladimir Putin. The figure was significantly lower than the standard calculation. The higher the income level, the greater the level of tax deductions, since Russia has had a progressive tax scale since 2025, explained Elena Vashalomidze, associate professor of the Department of Labor Economics and Demography at the Faculty of Economics at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, to the Vedomosti newspaper.

Rosstat promised to publish both Gini coefficients in the future—those calculated using both the old and new methodology.

Rosstat had previously published an estimate of the Gini coefficient in its 2025 annual report, but then removed it, the “If byt’chnom” project noted in March. At that time, it was 0.419. This estimate was confirmed by the project’s own calculations. State Duma deputies also criticized Rosstat for removing inequality data.