The growth of Russia's middle class

THE Russian presidential election on Sunday March 4th will return Vladimir Putin, but his days may be numbered (see this week's leader and briefing). When Mr Putin first came to power 12 years ago, the Russian electorate was relatively homogenous in its incomes and requirements. The middle class made up some 15% of the population. But much has changed over the intervening decade. A richer and more vocal middle class has sprung up, accounting for 25% of the population and nearly 40% of the workforce. Our charts show some of the indicators of its rise in terms not just of income but of holidays, shopping and the internet.