Core aspects of digital exclusion among the Russian population

Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 2025. Vol. 216. Article 124153.

Pishnyak A., Khalina N., Nazarbaeva E.

Digital exclusion has become a new form of poverty creating a gap between different groups of the population. There is no consensus about the proper definition of the phenomenon, however, the core aspects of digital exclusion include the absence of digital devices, poor internet access, lack of digital skills, and problems with access to digital services. Using the results of a large survey conducted in 2022 in Russia, we evaluate the typical digital behavioral patterns for the Russian population. We demonstrate that exclusion in terms of device usage, internet access, and digital skills is relevant, while using online services is not common yet. Significant differences in digital exclusion are seen for different subgroups, the largest gap was between age groups.

Keywords: digital divide, poverty, digital exclusion

Publication based on the results of: Transformation of the living standard and quality of life of various social groups in changing macroeconomic conditions (2023)