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Delineating responsibility: Analyzing the low-wage worker problem from an equal opportunity theory perspective


TERRA ECONOMICUS, Vol. 24, No 2

Citation: Frants M., Borodin A., Dzyuba E., Gubarev R. (2026). Delineating responsibility: Analyzing the low-wage worker problem from an equal opportunity theory perspective. Terra Economicus 24(2), 117–134 (in Russian). DOI: 10.18522/2073-6606-2026-24-2-117-134


This paper deals with the issue of low-income workers from the point of view of equal opportunities theory. Using data from LiTS (2016–2017, 2022–2023), we conduct a comparative analysis of the prevalence and inequality of low-paid employment in post-communist countries. A parametric approach with direct estimation is used for measuring inequality, and individual circumstances are determined using Shapley’s decomposition. The study found that, on average, EU member states have a better situation than post-Soviet states regarding the issue. For example, the share of people employed in low-paying jobs was 16,7% and 23,5% in 2016–2017, with 11,46% and 28,44% in 2022–2023 in EU and post-Soviet countries, respectively. Inequality of opportunities was 0,1418 in EU countries and 0,1805 in post-Soviet countries in 2016–2017. In 2022–2023, these figures were 0,1225 and 0,2013, respectively. Circumstances contribute significantly to inequality in most post- Soviet countries (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), especially parental education. However, age also plays a role in EU states (Germany, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia).

Keywords: Russia; post-Soviet countries; EU member states; low-wage paid labor; working poor; inequality of opportunity; circumstantial factors
JEL codes: D63, B23, J31, D31, E24



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Publisher: Southern Federal University
ISSN: 2073-6606















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