Regional differences in the Russian Federation: An empirical analysis of the influence of terri-torial localization of industry sectors on the level of regional economic activity

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of high inter-regional differentiation of the economic area of the Russian Federation. The relevance of the research is due to the need to understand the role of the industrial sector in the economic inequality of regions. It is necessary for the systematization of the state regional policy and strategic forecasting of the innovative development of regionally oriented production systems. The purpose of the research was to identify an empirical relationship between the level of economic activity of industrial regions and their sectoral specifics. Based on a large array of statistical data, a long-term increase in the economic inequality of the regions of the Russian Federation and a high level of inter-regional differentiation are shown. During the research, the basic methods of mathematical statistics were used. The regression analysis allowed us to obtain a statistically significant confirmation of the hypothesis: the economic inequality of the regions is largely due to the nature of the industries localized on their territory. Some empirical patterns were also identified and statistically substantiated. It was established that the economy of industrially oriented regions depends mainly on extractive industries: the impact on the economic activity of the regions of the factor of localization of extractive industries is significantly (more than five times) higher than that of manufacturing industries. The results allowed us to conclude that the current trends may lead to further strengthening of inter-regional differentiation of the country's economic space. Also, the current situation entails the threat of deindustrialization of those regions that are now characterized by the concentration of high-tech industries. The research provides additional data support for industrial and structural policy priorities.