P. V. Druzhinin. Features of the Development of the Central Regions of the European Part of Russia in 2009‒2021

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.033.202501.104-119
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/puwrxs
УДК / UDK 332.12

Abstract

Introduction. The concentration of resources in Moscow limits the development of some regions in the center of European Russia, but at the same time contributes to the growth of the economy of the nearest regions. The aim of the study is to identify the specific features of regions depending on the dynamics of their development and distance to Moscow and, by building models, to evaluate and compare the efficiency of their development.

Materials and Methods. The work analyzed Rosstat data on the main indicators of regional development. Depending on the dynamics of GRP and labor productivity of regions in 2009–2021, groups of regions are identified and their features are analyzed. Based on the analysis of graphs and the construction of models, the effectiveness of investments in the economy of the region was assessed.

Results. It is shown that ring groups of regions with similar economic growth rates are formed around Moscow, shifted to the south. Three central regions (Moscow, Kaluga and Tula regions) are characterized by the highest rates of economic growth. Around them there is a ring of nine regions with low rates of economic growth. Further, a semi-ring of eight more successfully developing regions is formed. They are also losing population, but investments in their economy are growing, which allows for a rapid increase in labor productivity. The analysis of the data also showed that among the 25 regions under consideration, there is a relationship between the rates of economic growth and the northern latitude of the regional capital, and the northern and easternmost regions that close the semi-ring of rapidly growing regions have the lowest rates of economic growth.

Discussion and Conclusion. It can be said that the migration of the population to Moscow complicates the development of the regions surrounding it, weakening as the region moves away, but at the same time the growing market of the expanding Moscow agglomeration leads to an acceleration of economic growth in the surrounding territories. The results of this study will be useful for regional and federal authorities to develop a policy to reduce the differentiation of the socio-economic situation of the regions.

Keywords: Moscow agglomeration, regions of the center of European Russia, population, gross regional product, employment, investments in the regional economy

Conflict of interests. The author declares no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation under Project No. 23-28-00446 (https://rscf.ru/project/23-28-00446/).

For citation: Druzhinin P.V. Features of the Development of the Central Regions of the European Part of Russia in 2009‒2021. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2025;33(1):104–119. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.033.202501.104-119

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About the authors:

Pavel V. Druzhinin, Dr.Sci. (Econ.), Chief Researcher, Institute of Economics, Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Science (50 Prospekt A. Nevskogo, Petrozavodsk 185030, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5303-0455, Researcher ID: F-4625-2010, Scopus ID: 56502324200, SPIN-code: 7044-9207, pdruzhinin@mail.ru

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the author on reasonable request.

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 11.06.2024; revised 05.11.2024; accepted 16.12.2024.