Challenges to childhood in Russia

In spite of national achievements and political commitment to support families and children, challenges to childhood remain.

The mortality from all causes in children aged 1 to 19 years is almost four times than that of Western European countries. Many adolescent deaths are accounted for by external causes, 75 per cent of which are deemed preventable. More than 700,000 children are estimated to live without parental care, over 156,000 of them in institutions.

The HIV epidemic is fast growing and targets young people disproportionately (80 per cent are those infected are between 15 and 30 years of age). Persisting levels of stigma fuel discrimination against adults and children living with HIV or disability. Some ethnic and religious groups are often victims of stereotyping and judgmental attitudes as well – and this frequently starts from childhood.

Socio-economic disparities among Russian regions also continue to be a concern. From 1985 to 2007, Russia's Gini coefficient (which measures income inequality) has almost doubled, rising from 0.24 to 0.42. Finally, the unfolding crisis is threatening to erode recent gains made in poverty reduction.