Poverty is widespread throughout the rural communities of Russia. Women and families with children are particularly well represented in this section of society. Russia’s rates of infant, child and maternal mortality are among the highest in Eastern Europe. National educational expenditures continue to decline, as do enrolment rates and the availability of pre-school programmes. School completion rates are also falling and fewer poor children in rural areas have access to education. Over the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children living on the streets or in institutions.

HIV/AIDS is a very serious worry across the country. More than 20,000 children have been born to HIV infected mothers.