While the number of dollar billionaires in Russia rocketed last year from 61 to 101, up to 32% of the population lives below the poverty line. Older people have been particularly badly hit by the transition to capitalism and they represent a huge proportion of the population – an estimated 27% of 143 million people.

Many people in later life lost their savings in the economic collapses of 1991 and 1998, pensions have not kept pace with average earnings or inflation, and unemployment among older people is particularly high.

Older people complain of age discrimination in the health system. There are not enough gerontologists for the growing ageing population and state-funding for healthcare has nose-dived. Private healthcare exists but the cost is prohibitive for those living on a state pension.

A recent poll found that 20% of Russians wish for a return of the Soviet Union: the number is particularly high among older people. Lyubov Komar says ‘I felt more comfortable [in the Soviet Union]. You always had a piece of bread. You always had work. Yes, sure, you can go overseas now, but you have to have money for that and you have to go into debt. Now, if you don’t have money you can’t do anything.’

Age UK is working with a local partner, Dobroe Delo, to support older people in Russia. It runs a volunteer home-care programme in Moscow. It also researches issues that affect older people, such as poverty, discrimination and rights violations. And it has successfully developed a wide network of local and regional NGOs providing information and support to people in later life.

Eduard Karyukhin, Director of Dobroe Delo says ‘In the Soviet Union, pensioners enjoyed a range of social benefits – pensions at 60-70% of their former salary, good old people’s homes, and ongoing professional education for older workers. Society valued older people.

‘After perestroika, the old social system fell apart and since 1991 a new one is being built. The new state still hasn’t decided which pension system to introduce and pensioners have a very low pension now – 200-300 dollars a month. Utility and housing bills take up half of this. Ageing is not given any priority in the administration. This is reflected in the very low social status of older people. They live in poverty and are discriminated against as individuals and as a group in society. However the weakness of civil society means that their rights are not defended by NGOs.’

The situation for older people in Russia is critical. It has been estimated that by 2055, the average age in the Russian Federation will be 57 years and the percentage of older people will rise to 55% or 75 million people. In order to respond to this, the Russian Federation will need to make major adjustments to state services, especially in areas such as health and pensions. The role of NGOs like Dobroe Delo is critical for supporting the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

While the number of dollar billionaires in Russia rocketed last year from 61 to 101, up to 32% of the population lives below the poverty line. Older people have been particularly badly hit by the transition to capitalism and they represent a huge proportion of the population – an estimated 27% of 143 million people.

Many people in later life lost their savings in the economic collapses of 1991 and 1998, pensions have not kept pace with average earnings or inflation, and unemployment among older people is particularly high.

Older people complain of age discrimination in the health system. There are not enough gerontologists for the growing ageing population and state-funding for healthcare has nose-dived. Private healthcare exists but the cost is prohibitive for those living on a state pension.

A recent poll found that 20% of Russians wish for a return of the Soviet Union: the number is particularly high among older people. Lyubov Komar says ‘I felt more comfortable [in the Soviet Union]. You always had a piece of bread. You always had work. Yes, sure, you can go overseas now, but you have to have money for that and you have to go into debt. Now, if you don’t have money you can’t do anything.’

Age UK is working with a local partner, Dobroe Delo, to support older people in Russia. It runs a volunteer home-care programme in Moscow. It also researches issues that affect older people, such as poverty, discrimination and rights violations. And it has successfully developed a wide network of local and regional NGOs providing information and support to people in later life.

Eduard Karyukhin, Director of Dobroe Delo says ‘In the Soviet Union, pensioners enjoyed a range of social benefits – pensions at 60-70% of their former salary, good old people’s homes, and ongoing professional education for older workers. Society valued older people.

‘After perestroika, the old social system fell apart and since 1991 a new one is being built. The new state still hasn’t decided which pension system to introduce and pensioners have a very low pension now – 200-300 dollars a month. Utility and housing bills take up half of this. Ageing is not given any priority in the administration. This is reflected in the very low social status of older people. They live in poverty and are discriminated against as individuals and as a group in society. However the weakness of civil society means that their rights are not defended by NGOs.’

The situation for older people in Russia is critical. It has been estimated that by 2055, the average age in the Russian Federation will be 57 years and the percentage of older people will rise to 55% or 75 million people. In order to respond to this, the Russian Federation will need to make major adjustments to state services, especially in areas such as health and pensions. The role of NGOs like Dobroe Delo is critical for supporting the most vulnerable sectors of the population.