Devaluation of the ruble has greatly stimulated import-substituting production, initiating an upward trend in Russian industrial output. This trend, accompanied by the energy resources price rise in the world markets, has contributed to Russia s sizable international trade surplus. It is expected to reach 25 billion dollars by the end of 1999. Tax collection has improved. There also has been a modest increase of real incomes coupled with a reduction in wage arrears.
National statistics indicate an increasing demand for labor in Russian industries.
Faint indications of economic growth are still to be fixed and translated into the amelioration of the human development pattern in Russia. The number of actual and relatively poor people, though not as big as it used to be at the beginning of the 90-s, is, however, sizable. Regional economic disparity levels continue to jeopardize the country s stability and unity. The situation has been aggravated by the influx of ethnic Russians from the former republics of the Soviet Union. Access to sustainable livelihoods is still severely limited for a large group of Russians due to increased post-crisis unemployment.