Post by Oleg Smirnov<https://tinyurl.com/s2t6bt3a> nationalinterest.org
.. The first S-500 "Triumfator-M" units will enter service ..
The S-500 is Russia's upcoming next-generation flagship missile system,
promising
OK Oleg, I do not think we ever doubted that
if it chose to, Russia could fuck up a lot
or the world.
But how about just trying to live a pleasant life?
This view is 4 years old, but is it still valid?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2017/03/19/russia-quality-of-life-indicators-worse-than-chinas/?sh=76a81042571e
Mar 19, 2017,06:34pm EDT
Russia Quality Of Life Indicators Worse Than China's
Kenneth Rapoza Senior Contributor
Markets
I write about global business and investing in emerging markets.
Traffic in snowy Moscow nearly grinds to a halt. Problems like this
occur regardless of weather,... [+]
Sure it has the Bolshoi and pristine Red Square with its luxury shopping
at the Tsum. And yes, unlike New York and Sao Paulo and Mumbai, no one
is asking you for food and spare change on every street corner. But when
it comes to overall quality of life, Russia ranks lower than all of the
big emerging markets. Even Mexico with its corruption and drug lords
does better.
According to the big data cost of living number crunchers at Numbeo,
Russia's biggest problems are weather; Moscow traffic that makes the 405
in Los Angeles and the Marginal in Sao Paulo seem tame; outrageous real
estate prices in city centers, and pollution. Russia may be known for
great culture, world-class great museums and home to one of the world's
most charming cities in St. Petersburg, but its overall quality of life
score is 86.27, putting it on par with its cultural rivals in Ukraine.
Numbeo's impressive data collection compares a cross section of costs
between cities and countries, in both the local currency, dollars and
euros. Russia's cost of living is the lowest of the BRICs.
Numbeo's impressive data collection compares a cross section of costs
between cities and countries,... [+] CHART FROM NUMBEO
PROMOTED
Moscow is home to more billionaires per capita than any other city. And
while most of them may actually live in London full time, it is not
uncommon to hear the roar of a McLaren marking its territory on the
Krasnopresnenskaya road along the Moscow River. Real estate there is
expensive, but according to Numbeo, not as expensive as Shanghai. The
price per square foot is 59.3% cheaper in the city center of Moscow than
it is in Shanghai. A three-bedroom rental in the city center is around
25% cheaper in Moscow.
This high housing cost in China, coupled with its massive air quality
problem, has the biggest of the BRIC countries ranked behind Russia.
Most things in China are cheap. But Chinese pay a high price for
housing...and for air quality.
As every American knows, most things in China are cheap. But Chinese pay
a high price for... [+] NUMBEO
Within the big four emerging markets, India is No. 1 thanks to low cost
of services and goods, including housing costs as a percentage of median
income.
India is the poorest of the big emerging markets, so all things being
equal, the country has a much lower cost basis for goods and services
compared to elsewhere.
India is the poorest of the big emerging markets, so all things being
equal, the country has a much... [+] NUMBEO
And then there is Brazil. Brazilians like to complain that every thing
costs a fortune, particularly in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities.
Sao Paulo city ranks well below Brazil's average cost of living score of
94.29 due to crime, pollution, traffic jams, and housing. The city gets
a 59. That's lousy.
Brazil's overall low cost of living makes it better than Russia. Sao
Paulo scores better than Moscow. (Numbeo)
Brazil's overall low cost of living makes it better than Russia. Sao
Paulo scores better than... [+] NUMBEO
Oddly enough, despite being one of the most productive agriculture
states in the world, bananas in Sao Paulo city cost 30% more than they
do in Moscow; eggs cost 58% more in Sao Paulo than in Moscow; a loaf of
bread cost 163% more in Sao Paulo than in Moscow. Even water (+18.4%)
and domestic beer (53.39%) cost more in Sao Paulo than in Moscow,
according to Numbeo data.
Yet, thanks to great weather and a relatively low cost of living
nationwide, Brazil life is better than Russia life.
Numbeo surveys cost of living, purchasing power, housing, air quality,
crime rates, healthcare and traffic commute times in its quality of life
index. Users can compare cities against each other in terms of cost on a
number of consumer items as well as housing and electricity bills.
The Americans vs The Russkiyes
Numbeo's Quality of Life Index gauge goes from 0 to 200. The higher the
number, the better. In this regard, the U.S. scores a 180.02 overall.
It's top five cities with near perfect scores are San Diego (197.7),
Dallas (191.8), Columbus (190.6), San Jose (190) and Portland (187.7).
In terms of cost of living, however, our best cities are more expensive
than Russia's. The top five are over the top in terms of cost, with
Numbeo giving a score of 100 for the highest cost of living in a given
country.
New York scores a 100, followed by Honolulu (97.7), San Francisco
(97.3), Anchorage (96.8) and Washington DC (93).
Russia's best cities are more affordable for the locals who live there.
The top five are Moscow (48.8), St. Petersburg (45.7), Yekaterinburg
(39.5), Novosibirsk (37) and Kazan (34.69).
Within the main segments of Numbeo's Cost of Living power gauge, here's
the winner:
Amerikantsy Russians
Purchasing Power Index: 122.48 48.97
Safety Index: 51.69 53.81
Health Care Index: 68.27 56.12
Climate Index: 68.01 12.32
Cost of Living Index: 74.13 43.28
Property Price to Income Ratio: 3.23 13.16
Traffic Commute Time: 34.41 49.33
Pollution Index: 31.32 63.52
These numbers can be confusing at first blush. A high number can
indicate a negative. For instance, a higher pollution index number is
worse than a lower one, so U.S. air quality is better than Russia's.
A higher climate index is better than a lower one, as it means the
country has warmer and more diverse weather regions suitable for
different outdoor activities and longer growing seasons for farmers.
Russia scores better on safety and cost of living.
Worth noting, as healthcare remains top-of-mind in the U.S., the
healthcare index scores us better than the Russians.
The components of the health care system surveyed by Numbeo respondents
include things like medical staff competency, quality of medical
equipment and diagnosis, insurance costs, and convenience and
availability of doctors.
Russia scores a 60 in terms of cost, beating the U.S. hands-down. U.S.
respondents gave cost satisfaction a 46.7 out of a possible score of 200.
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Kenneth Rapoza
Kenneth Rapoza
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I write about global business trends, big business dramas and investing,
primarily in emerging markets. I am also a retail investor with
interests in cryptocurrencies, so… Read More
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