Kaufman Natal'ya Yu.

Against the background of accelerated changes in the economic space, the role of the market in international practice is increasing, and the issue of employment, unemployment and poverty is particularly acute in all countries. The article deals with the problems of poverty in Russia and the regions. An overview of theoretical views of the scientific community on the concept of poverty is introduced. In the course of which it poverty was defined as the concept of both economic and social, reflecting the perception of the living standards of the society by the individuals identifying themselves as a certain category of social stratum of people - the so-called state of the personal feelings of lack. According to the economic point of view, poverty is a lack in the money matters, consisting in the inability to meet the needs of food, clothing, and other necessary living conditions. A statistical analysis of the causes and structure of poverty at the Federal and regional levels, a comparative analysis of the ratio of the minimum wage and the subsistence minimum for the last ten years in the regions of Russia were conducted, an analysis of the number of jobs created in the regions over the past ten years was introduced. Consequently, the main factors and causes of poverty individuals and families were identified. Among them you can select the amount of income, unemployment, industry, and employment and health status and participation in state-run social programs. It was found out that the reduction poverty line depends not only upon the involvement of the state with its newly implemented programs, but the population as well, increasing their human capital and professional skills.