Differentiation of Russian Regions: Economic Contrasts and Social Disparities

Purpose of research. The study aims to analyze the socio-economic differentiation among regions of the Russian Federation to identify the main factors contributing to regional inequality and determine priority areas for state policy to reduce interregional disparities. The research seeks to develop an innovative approach to analyzing and addressing the issue of socio-economic differentiation across regions, with the goal of ensuring more balanced development and improving the quality of life for the population.

Materials and methods. The study is based on data from the Federal State Statistics Service and includes a system of socio-economic indexes. The methodological framework incorporates principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis to classify regions according to their level of socio-economic development. Composite indexes were calculated using normalized values of initial indexes with weighting coefficients determined through principal component loadings. The study covers the period from 2016 to 2023 and includes 85 federal regions of the Russian Federation.

Research results. The results of calculations show during the study period there is still a significant socio-economic differentiation among Russian regions, which were divided into five groups: driver regions, stable regions, moderately balanced regions, unstable regions, and crisis regions. The most substantial gap was observed in gross regional product (GRP) per capita, where the difference between the highest and lowest values reached 65.8 times in 2023. Key challenges in lagging regions are low investment levels, high unemployment, and weak economic diversification. Partial improvements of the situation in some crisis regions is due to federal support programs, but the overall level of differentiation remains high.

Conclusion. The study confirms the persistent nature of socio- economic inequality among Russian regions. To reduce disparities, systemic measures are required, including effective governance, investment support, infrastructure development and social programs. The authors emphasize the importance of considering the unique characteristics of each region when formulating development strategies. Without such measures, regional disparities will continue to widen, posing risks to economic stability and social well-being nationwide.

1. Ayvazyan S.A., Afanas’yev M.Yu., Kudrov A.V. Methodology for assessing socio-economic development taking into account the peculiarities of regional differentiation. Model Assisted Statistics and Applications. 2020; 15(4): 311-314. DOI: 10.3233/MAS-200502.

2. Bondarenko N.Ye., Gubarev R.V. The problem of regional inequality in the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation. Vestnik Rossiyskogo ekonomicheskogo universiteta imeni G. V. Plekhanova = Bulletin of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. 2020; 17(5): 56-68. DOI: 10.21686/2413-2829-2020-5-56-68. (In Russ.)

3. Volkova A.V. Socio-economic development of the regions of the Russian Federation: problems and trends. Vestnik Volgogradskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Ekonomika = Journal f Volgograd State University. Economics. 2023; 25; 4: 43–54. DOI: 10.15688/ek.jvolsu.2023.4.4. (In Russ.)

4. Stroyev V.V. Comprehensive analysis of regional disparities in the distribution of income and welfare of the population in the regions of Russia. Vestnik universiteta = Bulletin of the University. 2024; 1: 5-12. DOI: 10.26425/1816-4277-2024-1-5-12. (In Russ.)

5. Gagarina G.YU., Bolotov R.O. Assessment of income differentiation of the population of the Russian Federation taking into account the interregional price level. Vestnik Rossiyskogo ekonomicheskogo universiteta imeni G.V. Plekhanova = Bulletin of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. 2022; (3): 97-108. DOI: 10.21686/2413-2829-2022-3-97-108. (In Russ.)

6. Vertakova Yu.V., Zaretskaya V.G. Study of the convergence of regional economic and social development in the context of digitalization and modernization of the Russian economy. Ekonomicheskoye Vozrozhdeniye Rossii = Economic Revival of Russia. 2022; 2(72): 66–86. DOI: 10.37930/1990-9780-2022-2-72-66-86. (In Russ.)

7. Katyn’ A.V. Multidimensional classification of regions of the Russian Federation by indicators of socio-economic development. Ekonomika i upravleniye: problemy, resheniya = Economy and Management: Problems, Solutions. 2024; 12/1(153): 123–129. DOI: 10.36871/ek.up.pr2024.12.01.012. (In Russ.)

8. Sadovnikova N.A., Davletshina L.A., Zolotareva O.A., Lebedinskaya O.O. Regional Differentiation of the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation by the Level of Socio-Economic Development. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology. 2021; 5(1): 1–7. DOI: 10.33805/2576-8484.187.

9. Antipin I.A., Vlasova N.Yu., Ivanova O.Yu. Strategic Priorities for Managing Spatial Disparities in the Socio-Economic Development of Russian Regions. Upravlenets = Manager. 2020; 11; 6: 28–43. DOI: 10.29141/2218-5003-2020-11-6-3. (In Russ.)

10. Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 28, 2024 No. 4146-r «Strategy for Spatial Development of the Russian Federation for the Period up to 2030 with a Forecast up to 2036» [Internet]. Spravochnopravovaya sistema Garant = Reference and legal system Garant. Available from: https://www.garant.ru/products/ipo/prime/doc/411143583/. (cited 23.04.2025). (In Russ.)