The Generosity of Social Welfare Programmes in the Soviet Union: A Comprehensive Overview

This working paper presents an overview of the gradual development of the Soviet welfare system form the October Revolution of 1917 to 1991. It examines all major social welfare programmes in the Soviet Union and their generosity – understood as the combination of their inclusiveness and the scope of benefits they offer. It provides the reader with a comprehensive and detailed picture of the development of these programmes over time covering the right to income maintenance (i.e., old-age, disability and survivor pensions, unemployment, sickness and maternity benefits, and child allowances), benefits aiming to raise living and cultural standards (i.e., healthcare and education), and so-called “hidden social welfare benefits” in the form of price subsidies for consumer goods, such as food, and services, including housing, etc..