Under the strategy for Russia's social and economic development until 2020 drafted by the ministry, the wealth gap between Russia and the world's richest countries will narrow considerably. Per capita GDP will grow to at least $21,000 by 2015 and $30,000 by 2020, close to the current level in Eurozone countries.
Russia's per capita income, currently three times lower than in the United States, will advance to half the U.S. level by 2020, the ministry said. Russia may rank among the top five nations in terms of GDP by 2020.
"Russia's strategic goal is to become a global leader in the world economy and attain the level of highly-industrialized countries," the document said.
Under the strategy, Russia is expected to become a leading world financial center with an independent national financial infrastructure and leading positions on the financial markets of former Soviet republics, the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC), and Central and Eastern Europe. The strategy also sees Russia forming effective democratic institutions, and developing influential and active civil society institutions.
