Last year, the Russian sector of services against the background of the coronavirus pandemic survived the maximum drop in the entire history, but two directions were in the plus. The leader in income growth was ritual services, plus 3.8 percent. This is stated in the February issue of “monitoring the economic situation” from the Gaidar Institute and Ranjigs.
followed by them are the services of mail and couriers that have grown by 3.6 percent. We also felt good services (minus 4 percent), housing (minus 4.8 percent), telecommunication (minus 5 percent).
But the volume of paid services in the cultural organizations collapsed by 53 percent, tourism services – by 52 percent, transport – by 39.1 percent, at hotels – by 35.1 percent, physical culture and sports services – on 32.6 percent.
The leadership of ritual services can be explained by high mortality that Rosstat recorded. According to the department, last year, it grew by 18 percent, reaching a 2005 record – 2.124 million people. Growth rates have become recorded since 1947. In December, the maximum level since 1933 was recorded in December for mortality growth in the country. Natural population decline in 2020 amounted to 688.7 thousand people, twice as much as a year earlier.
In December last year, the member of the Committee of the State Duma on Transport and Construction Anton Zharkov made a bill that should reduce the provision of ritual services for the population. He believes that the increase in the state control will lead to an increase in competition, and it will contribute to a decrease in the cost of funeral.