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In 2026, the average state-funded pension in Russia (65+ years old - men, 60+ - women) will be about 28,000 rubles (350 USD) per month. The average social pension (does not depend on the length of employment and accumulated contributions) - about 17,000 rubles (210 USD). Social pensions are granted 5 years after reaching the general retirement age. On October 13, 2025, "Rosatom" announced that the first-ever container transit from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route arrived at the British port of Felixstowe. The ship departed from the port of Ningbo (China) on September 23. The journey through the Russian Arctic took 20 days, almost half the time it would take via traditional southern routes. In 2024, according to the Ministry of Health of Russia, the leading regions in terms of alcoholism incidence were Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (247.8 people per 100 thousand population), the Mari El Republic (222.6), Jewish Autonomous Oblast (197.5), Kirov Oblast (161.5), Arkhangelsk Oblast (134.2). The lowest numbers were in Leningrad Oblast (13.7), Moscow (15.9), and St. Petersburg (22.6). Since the beginning of 2025, the grain harvest in Russia has amounted to 100M tons, 7M tons more than on the same date in 2024. About 30M hectares, or 65% of the total area, have been threshed. The average yield increased by 12% - to 33.7 centners per hectare. In total, it is expected to be about 135M tons (88-90M tons of wheat). In 1990, for comparison, the record grain harvest in the RSFSR in the last year of the USSR was 115M tons (55M tons of wheat). From September 15, 2025 to September 14, 2026, China will introduce a 30-day visa-free regime for Russian citizens. It will be possible to enter the country without a visa for the purpose of doing business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. In this regard, passenger traffic from Russia to China may increase by 30-40%. More notes from Russia »
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Nikolaj asks: What could I buy in Russia for 100,000 rubles in 1860?
Expert's answer:

Here are some approximate prices for goods in the Russian Empire in 1860: sunflower oil (16 kg): 4 rubles, eggs (10): 0.06 rubles, vodka (liter): 0.06 rubles, one piglet: 0.3 rubles, soap (1 kg): 0.25 rubles. The annual salary of a skilled worker was 150-300 rubles, a peasant - 50-100 rubles.

A peasant's hut in the central part of the country - 50-150 rubles, a private house in a town - 500-2,000 rubles, an apartment building (5-10 apartments) - 10,000-50,000 rubles, a noble's estate (with a park, 10-20 rooms) - 20,000-100,000+ rubles.

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