Statistic Assessment of Regional Convergence in the Russian Federation

This study is dedicated to examining the process of regional convergence in terms of economic development level in the Russian Federation from 2000 to 2015. Aim. This study aims to evaluate the commencing blurring of the difference between the economic development level of individual subjects of the Russian Federation, and to characterize the overall dynamics and specific territorial features. Tasks. This study traces the development of the neoclassical growth theory based on the idea of convergence of systems that are at a different level of development; characterizes two empirical approaches to the convergence theory (β- and σ-convergence); empirically test various concepts of convergence based on the data provided by the Russian Federal State Statistics Service on the gross regional product per capita in the regions of the Russian Federation. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition as well as statistical and econometric methods based on the data provided by the Russian Federal State Statistics Service to analyze the commencing blurring of the difference Results. The absolute convergence hypothesis is substantiated for the period from 2000 to 2015, the β-coefficient of regression equation of the neoclassical growth model for the Russian Federation is predominantly negative and shows correlation with another factor of territorial differences - Gini coefficient. From 2000 onwards, the convergence process has intensified despite a certain downward trend by the end of the said period. Analysis of σ-convergence at the level of individual federal districts shows specific territorial features. The hypothesis of σ-convergence in the Far Eastern Federal District hasn’t been confirmed. Conclusion. The results of the study of Russian regions confirm β- and σ-convergence between the regions of the Russian Federation in terms of economic development level. Differences in the extent and focus of regional convergence are identified at the level of federal districts, which is due to extra government support of certain subjects.

neoclassical growth theory, convergence theory, β- and σ-convergence, Gini coefficient, Russian regions, gross regional product per capita, неоклассическая теория роста, теория конвергенции, β- и σ-конвергенция, коэффициент Джини, регионы России, валовый региональный продукт на душу населения

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