Assessing the contribution of subsistence economy in income generation of rural households in Yakutia

Abstract

Traditional economic activity is a significant part of non- observed economy sustaining in regions with a large share of rural population. Non-transparency of subsistence economy hampers assessment of its contribution to goods and services production, the number and income levels of self-employed. The paper summarizes a study of contribution of private subsidiary plots and other forms of traditional economic activity (hunting, fishery, gathering) in rural household incomes and self- employment in Yakutia based on a representative sociological survey of 2017-2019. The share of in-kind income in household budgets estimated by the authors averages 15.7%, partly compensating for cash income deficit and helping alleviate poverty problem in the region.