R. Yu. Skokov. Human Development Index and Demand for Addictive Products in European Countries

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26342.242-264
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ilxqpiISSN 2413-1407
УДК / UDC 339:005.331(4) ISSN 2587-8549

Abstract

Introduction. The market circulation of addictive goods is a source not only of taxes and profits, but also of numerous negative effects. Increased consumption is associated with macroeconomic parameters (falling household incomes, unemployment, and economic and social crises). The aim of this study is to identify patterns of effective demand in addictive goods markets in relation to the integrated human development indicator.

Materials and Methods. Statistical information from the United Nations global network, the European Union Statistical Service, and the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation for the period 2010–2021 was analyzed using statistical and mathematical analysis methods.

Results. In Russia and 33 European countries, against the backdrop of economic crises (2011, 2016, 2020, 2021), a trend towards an increase in the Human Development Index was identified from 2010 to 2021. Trends were found towards a decrease in the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products in 15 countries, and drugs in 16; an increase in the consumption of alcohol products in 19 countries, tobacco products in 15 countries, and drugs in 7 countries. The leaders in total expenditure on addictive goods are Luxembourg, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Lithuania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and North Macedonia. At the same time, in terms of the level of the Human Development Index, they occupy places in the range 12th to 34th. In France, Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Malta, spending on addictive goods is increasing against the backdrop of rising human development indices.

Conclusion. The resulting analytical and comparative data for 34 countries opens up opportunities for further research into the effectiveness of methods and instruments of state and public regulation in individual countries, as well as for comparing them with each other to adjust regulatory policies to improve human development and reduce the costs of consuming addictive goods. The identified patterns are also applicable to emerging markets for digital addictive goods, such as mobile communications, the internet, and social media.

Keywords: Human Development Index, addictive goods, social media, purchasing expenditures, demand, interconnectedness, public policy, European countries

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

For citation: Skokov R.Yu. Human Development Index and Demand for Addictive Pro­ducts in European Countries. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2026;34(2):242–264. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26342.242-264

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About the author:

Roman Yu. Skokov, Dr.Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Rector of the Volzhsky Institute of Economics, Pedagogy and Law (6 Sovetskaya St., Volzhsky 404111, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1026-0538, Scopus ID: 57216922992, SPIN-code: 3039-7957, rskokov@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 10.05.2025; revised 02.10.2025; accepted 15.10.2025.