The role of education in the social stratification of poverty

Introduction. The level of education among those living in poverty affects not only financial behaviour and access to resources but also the strategies by which this group interacts with the state and the community. Aim. The current study aims to evaluate education as a factor in structuring the strata of the poor, with the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of social policy measures and identifying risk groups associated with the perpetuation of poverty and stigma. Methodology and research methods. The research methodology is characterised by an analysis of the role of education in social stratification, framed within the theories of human and social capital, to provide a multidimensional explanation of poverty as a stratified and behaviourally variable phenomenon. The mechanisms for overcoming poverty are examined through the integration of human and social capital theories, considering their operation within two dimensions of the social space of poverty: the institutional and the social-network spheres. The database used for the analysis was compiled from a survey conducted in June 2023 in the Sverdlovsk Region, targeting individuals with incomes below the subsistence level. The survey included a total of 2,273 respondents. During the survey, procedures were implemented to enhance the quality and representativeness of the sample, including broad geographical distribution of questionnaires, clear briefing of respondents, and continuous operational feedback. In the subsequent data processing phase, at the sampling adjustment stage, questionnaires were excluded if respondents exhibited certain strategies aimed at minimising effort, such as linear completion of tabular questions or frequent omissions. Results. It has been found that higher levels of education lead to significantly higher incomes and expenditures, increased life satisfaction, reduced poverty, and lower levels of debt. Respondents with higher and secondary vocational education have greater access to financial instruments, make more active use of government support measures, and demonstrate greater integration into the social environment, relying on a variety of resources. Scientific novelty. The novelty of this research approach lies in its consideration, for the first time, of the level of education as a stratification feature within the context of the human and social capital it generates. This perspective enables a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the reproduction of poverty and clarifies the role of education in mitigating the risks of falling into poverty. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used to develop targeted social policy measures in the Russian Federation.

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