Abstract: The aim of the work is to determine the extent of regional differentiation in living standards (based on the analysis of monetary indicators) within the Volga Federal District, as well as the determination of the intraregional level of socio-economic inequality.
The object of the study is the phenomenon of inequality as an antipode of the criterion of the social state. The subject of the study is the parameters of socio-economic inequality by income of the population of the regions of the Volga Federal District.
The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the phenomenon of inequality as a limiter of the target function of the social state.
Results of the study and scientific novelty.
1. The author proposes to determine the degree of distancing society from the practical realization of the idea of the social state, defining the state of equality as a blue marker of the social state, and excessive inequality as a red marker of the social state.
2. The paper presents an analysis of the level of socio-economic inequality of the regions of the Volga Federal District.
3. In the author's opinion, one of the trigger mechanisms for solving the problem of socio-economic inequality should be social elevators that reduce the degree of distancing from the blue marker of the social state.
4. The author sees the root of solution in the structural transformation of the economy.

Abstract: The object of the study is the phenomenon of socio-economic inequality in the world and Russia. The subject of the study is poverty as an integral phenomenon of the lower strata of society with its excessive differentiation by income and wealth. The purpose of the study is to determine the depth of the problems of socio-economic inequality and poverty during the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The research methodology is based on the use of the principles of integrated and systematic approaches, general scientific and special methods of economic science. The information base of the study was data from the National Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, data from opinion polls conducted by VTSIOM and the Levada Center, the World Bank.
  The article is devoted to the problems of socio-economic inequality and poverty as interrelated, having common roots, causes, consequences and similar solutions. The depth of the studied problem is illustrated by statistical data in relation to Russia and individual countries of the world. Particular attention is focused on the accessibility of the poorest segments of the population to health services during the spread of coronavirus infection. The thesis that the pandemic has made the poor even poorer is confirmed. The authors cite alternative official statistics - the results of sociological surveys conducted by various organizations in order to emphasize the scale and depth of the problem of poverty and vulnerability of the population classified as the lower decile.

Abstract: The object of the study is the method of calculating the index of multiple deprivation of territories as a methodological component of overcoming multidimensional poverty.
The subject of the study is the best practices of using the index of multiple deprivation in developed countries.The purpose of the study is the theoretical and methodological justification of the feasibility of calculating the index of multiple deprivations at the level of the subjects of the Russian Federation to identify the most acute manifestations of multidimensional poverty and its subsequent overcoming.
The methodological basis of the research was made up of general scientific (the method of scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis, the unity of historical and logical) and special (statistical, index) methods.
The information base of the study was the statistical data of the World Bank, methodological recommendations for calculating the index of multidimensional deprivation of territorial authorities of Great Britain, aggregated data of the information and analytical portal Knoema.
According to the authors, the attention of regional authorities of the Russian Federation in terms of solving the problem of poverty should focus not only on monetary, but also, first of all, on multidimensional poverty in order to eliminate the problems of the regions in the sphere of living standards and ensure the inclusion of all citizens in the development processes. The calculation of the multidimensional deprivation index is expedient from the point of view of reducing disparities in territorial development and point-to-point solutions to the problems of specific territories (for example, residents of northern regions may experience deprivation in infrastructure, the population of central Russia and industrial zones suffers deprivation in relation to environmental living conditions, etc.)

Abstract: This article substantiates the need for the development and application of the additional instruments for combating shadow economy in the Russian Federation. The object of this research is the measures for combating shadow economy, while the subject is the related punitive and preventive instruments. The research methodology employs the general scientific methods (scientific abstraction, unity of historical and logical, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison and analogy); systemic and comprehensive approach; official statistical data, normative legal acts, works of the leading researchers dedicated to the problems of expansion of shadow economy, computer-based legal research systems Garant and ConsultantPlus. The study of the normative legal framework and scientific writings of the leading scholars, as well as the analysis of practical experience of the Russian Federation in combating shadow economy allowed making the following conclusions: the effective system of combating shadow economic processes should be built on all levels of governance: micro, meso and macro; at the same time, each of these levels should be able to apply both punitive and preventive instruments that encourage the actors to engage in legal activity. In recent years, Russia largely implements preventive methods for combating shadow economy. However, the rate of shadow economy in the country remains high (33% of GDP), which thwarts the economic development.