The current state of the economy in the developed countries make it possible to characterize them using concepts and terms such as the postindustrial society, the new economy, the service economy, the creative economy, the posteconomic society, the information society, the knowledge society, and the consumer society. Among these terms and concepts, the information society and the consumer society seem most appropriate from the standpoint of the construction of appropriate systems of indicators and organization of statistical observation. To a certain extent, the term "information society" is applicable to Russia because, first, the processes of computerization have taken on a universal character, and, second, that concept implies the important role played by the information technology component, and the fact that in Russia the production and use of information goods and services have risen rapidly in recent years. Regarding the consumer society, the following should be noted. After the difficult period of reforms, by 2000 Russia had begun to emerge from the overall general crisis, first and foremost the economic crisis; in time, the country managed to achieve economic revival and, after that, economic growth. This made it possible to increase the country's national income substantially and to achieve a rise in incomes, purchasing power, and consumption activity. The development of the economy has, to a substantial extent, been brought about by processes of the rise and development of the information society. Use of new informational and communications technologies in Russia has been increasing in recent years, but Russia still remains behind many other countries in level of access. The authors contend that this is both a result of and a further contributor to Russia's economic backwardness. [This article was translated by Kim Braithwaite.] (Contains 3 tables.)