Impact of the Allocation of Economic Resources on the Spatial Organisation of the Russian Economy

Abstract

Distribution of economic resources across Russian regions has attracted wide attention due to its significant impact on economic growth potential. Despite numerous approaches to the definition and classification of economic resources, there is no unified comprehensive methodology for assessing their spatial distribution and influence on spatial organisation of the national economy. Therefore, this article aims to study the organisation of the Russian economic space by identifying areas of resource concentration in regions, their spatial relationships and impact on socio-economic development. To this end, index and statistical methods, correlation and regression analysis, cartographic analysis are applied. In accordance with the modern strategic approach to the spatial development of Russia, the study examines the macro-regional level. Natural resources, human capital, and economic development indices were calculated in order to assess the distribution of economic resources and formation of layers (natural, social, productive) of the spatial framework of Russia. These indices are based on socio-economic indicators of Russian regions for 2010 and 2021. To determine areas of resource concentration, a correlation and regression analysis of the influence of indices as a numerical expression of layers of the spatial organisation was performed. A synthesis of the formed layers revealed the following Russian macro-regions of concentration of various economic resources and potential backbone regions of the spatial framework: Central (Moscow, Moscow and Kaluga oblasts), Ural-Siberian (Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous okrugs, Tyumen oblast), Central Black Earth (Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts), Northwestern (St. Petersburg, Leningrad and Murmansk oblasts). The findings can be used to identify ways to improve the organisation of the Russian economic space, increase the effectiveness of regional development policies and expand the methodology for assessing and forming other spatial layers of the economy.