Home – Home – Jornals – Region: Economics and Sociology 2024 number 2

This study examines the spatial development of the Russian economy from 2000 to 2020. Besides minor changes, the territorial structure of the economy remained stable, with a decrease observed in the Asian region’s share. Our analysis reveals indicators suggesting macrostructural equilibrium in certain metrics, largely influenced by macroeconomic policies. However, regional development and local associations do not exhibit similar equilibrium traits. We explore potential shifts in the spatial structure of the Russian Federation across three avenues: the concept of a social state by A.G. Aganbegyan, initiatives under the New Economic Policy (NEP-2), and the selective evolution of the multiregional system based on the best regional practices. Using a cognitive model, we scrutinize the roles, positions, and functions of each participant in the “regions - federal center - business structures " system, both independently and within local alliances: “federal center - business structures," “business structures - regions," and “regions - federal center. " We pay particular attention to analyzing the possibilities of distributing competencies and development resources equitably between regions and the federal center, along with outlining the conditions necessary to achieve such balance.

The existing open export-oriented economic model of Kemerovo Oblast-Kuzbass had taken shape by the early 2000s, providing relative resilience to this territory, the largest coal producer in Russia, over the past two decades. However, with an ongoing global energy transition and shifting geopolitical paradigm, the region now finds itself in turmoil and must adapt to new realities. To address this, we have developed three development scenarios for Kuzbass until 2035, all assuming the continued exceptional leverage of the coal sector in the region. Through analysis and scenario quantification against Kuzbass’s economic resilience from 2000 to 2035, we can conclude that a multisector economic model, integrated within an interregional cooperation framework, appears most favorable. Despite projecting modest growth rates, this scenario offers an opportunity for Kuzbass to mitigate strategic challenges and pursue sustainable long-term development. These results obtained can inform the region’s structural policy.

This article delves into the examination of natural, social and economic objects, specifically focusing on the agro-industrial complex and rural areas as parts of a single framework. Through the practical application of a systemic approach, we argue for considering these objects as integral components shaping agrarian-territorial systems (ATS), comprising three primary subsystems: natural, social, and economic. The objective is to stratify and position the ATS of Russian regions across multiple levels. The study hypothesizes that determining common developmental patterns among groups of heterogeneous agrarian-territorial formations is feasible through multilevel positioning. Results, derived from system analysis and multidimensional statistics, validate this hypothesis. The main outcome is an implemented method for multilevel positioning of regional ATS, accounting for intra-cluster and inter-cluster ratios of their key subsystems (economic, social, natural). This methodology makes it possible to identify general developmental patterns within Russia’s agrarian-territorial systems, offering insights applicable to the formulation and revision of subject- and object-differentiated ATS development programs.

This article focuses on examining the trends in demographic aging in Russia following the implementation of the new retirement age and the economic implications behind its increase. Drawing upon data from population censuses and official Rosstat statistics, the study establishes its informational foundation. Analysis reveals features in demographic aging against the new economic threshold for old age across different intercensal periods. Between 1959 and 1970, there is evidence of “aging from below " attributed to a transition to limited fertility rates, alongside “aging from above" as life expectancy increased. The periods of 1970-1979 and 1989-2002 distinctively exhibit characteristics of “agingfrom below." During 1979-1989 and 2002-2010, a decline in the aging of the Russian population is noted. The most recent period, 2010-2021, is the only one to align with the concept of “aging from above, " suggesting a shift towards the aging model typical of economically developed countries. According to the population census of 2021, the number of individuals surpassing the new economic threshold for old age exceeds the count of children under 15. Moreover, this surpasses the previous threshold by 1.6 times. The assessment of demographic burden underscores the necessity of raising the retirement age, aiming to mitigate age discrimination in employment, harness the resource potential of the older generation, and promote healthy and active longevity. However, any increase in the retirement age must be accompanied by an adequately proportional rise in the average pension.

In 2020, Russia experienced a deviation from the positive trend of annual growth in life expectancy observed between 2006 and 2019. Despite this downturn, the Republic of Tatarstan stands out with the highest life expectancy indicators in the Volga Federal District, surpassing the national average. To clarify the regional nuances of gender-based disparities in this sphere, our article conducts a calculation and a component analysis of mortality and life expectancy dynamics in Tatarstan, focusing on sex, age, and nosological indicators. Specifically, it seeks to identify probable determinants amidst the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-2021, comparing them with pre-pandemic patterns. Utilizing decomposition methodology, we assess the relative contributions of cardiovascular diseases, oncology, COVID-19, and other causes of death to the growth dynamics in the average expected lost years of life expectancy. Additionally, findings from the sociological study “Demographic Well-Being of Russia" underscore differences in self-preservation behavior between men and women in the Republic of Tatarstan. Based on these insights, we have developed a draft republican strategy aimed at addressing men’s health concerns, outlining key objectives to foster optimal health conditions for males across all age groups. Additionally, the authors contributed to the formulation of the national Strategy of Action for Saving Men and Supporting Responsible Fatherhood, in collaboration with the Institute of Demographic Research of the Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

This study examines the image and thematic areas of youth social activism forming within the information landscape of Arctic regions. Through the analysis of online publications, the authors aim to delineate the attributes of social activism among young individuals in Arctic communities. The findings of the study yield the following insights. First, the image of social activism among Arctic youth primarily stems from mass media and governmental sources, lacking representation from any websites of educational institutions, scientific bodies, non-profit organizations, or business ventures. Second, event-based and episodic initiatives prevail, which does not depict best practices of social activism and their societal contributions. Third, prominent themes encompass multifaceted cultural and professional events, suggesting a sense of identity among Arctic youth, yet coverage of youth entrepreneurship, research, journalism, blogging, volunteering, leisure, IT, and project activities is scant or nonexistent. Forth, information on youth social activism tends to spotlight regional endeavors, while initiatives at national and interregional levels often highlight activities beyond the Arctic region. These conclusions are complemented by conjectures regarding potential causes and repercussions of the identified phenomena, approached from sociological and sociolinguistic perspectives.

The article carries out an assessment of the territorial distribution and scale of various types of spatial labor mobility within the Moscow agglomeration, utilizing data from mobile operators. Special attention is given to daily and weekly pendulum labor migrations, seasonal workers, and remotely employed citizens. The analysis reveals that a significant portion of Moscow Oblast participates in the labor market of the metropolitan agglomeration through weekly and longer pendulum correspondence, rather than daily commutes. Functionally, areas connected with Moscow by daily labor rhythms cover regions within a distance of up to 30-40 km from the Moscow Ring Road. Examination of labor movements from several major centers in the Leningrad direction, situated at varying distances from Moscow, shows that beyond the fortieth kilometer from the Ring Road, residents tend to gradually orient themselves towards local labor markets rather than take part in daily commutes, and extended cycles of pendulum labor correspondence, or semi-seasonal work, become more prevalent. While full-fledged seasonal work (“otkhodnichestvo") is less common than semi-seasonal work among Moscow Oblast residents, its significance within the agglomeration is enormous. The number of seasonal workers there is comparable to the number of semi-seasonal workers (0.7 million people), with their recruitment area extending beyond the boundaries of the agglomeration system, encompassing not only neighboring territories around Moscow Oblast, but also constituent entities across Central and Southern Russia, as well as the Volga Region. Overall, the total number of citizens that are engaged in extended labor commuting cycles and interact with the metropolitan agglomeration is comparable to the daily pendulum migrations to the capital (1.2-1.5 million people), with an additional 0,7-0,9 million individuals participating in the capital’s labor market remotely. The proposed method of comprehensive examination of the entire hierarchy of labor spatial relations can serve as a valuable tool for further integrated analysis of the poly-hierarchical system of pendulum labor migrations in Moscow or any other agglomeration.

The article explores the nuances of implementing environmental regulations through economic instruments of nature management in North Asian countries and regions. It analyzes trends in environmental and economic development, as well as the application of market instruments for nature management. Through content analysis of strategic development plans, the paper evaluates the extent to which the socio-economic development of Russian regions in North Asia aligns with the principles of a green economy. Additionally, it ranks regions based on the inclusion of goals, priorities, development directions, and tools related to the green economy and associated concepts in their strategic development plans. The approach introduced by the authors holds potential as a tool for assessing the degree to which regional development adheres to the principles of a green economy. This framework could inform managerial decisions in environmental and economic development.

The sociocultural values of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) can translate into various outcomes for both society and the territories they inhabit. This study aims to evaluate the patterns and nuances in how the population perceives the sociocultural values of SPNAs in cities where these areas are located. In the first part of the article, we assess the relationship between subjective indicators such as health, active lifestyle, and participation in environmental projects on the one hand, and the proportion of protected areas within the city boundaries on the other. This analysis is conducted across clusters of cities. Similarly, the correlation is examined among the same 87 cities but grouped by the extent of their SPNA network, allowing us to pinpoint the most influential SPNA area in shaping public perception of their values. The second part of the study focuses on understanding how the scientific and pedagogical communities perceive SPNA values in individual cities. We divide the entire SPNA network of these cities based on the level of visitation by tourists and local residents. Moreover, age-related characteristics regarding the perceived significance of protected areas are identified. These findings offer insights that can be utilized to refine the management systems governing SPNAs within urbanized regions.

Defining economic specializations at the level of administrative-territorial units in Russia’s major urban agglomerations is a pressing concern for regional scientific research. This stems not only from the concentrated socioeconomic activities and ongoing economic transformations within these areas but also from the need to pinpoint the types of economic activities (specializations) that will foster further growth and development. However, limited access to statistical data complicates research efforts focused on determining specializations at the municipal district level. To address this challenge and calculate the specialization coefficient, we utilize the “number of business entities belonging to legal entities" indicator per type of economic activity, sourced from the SPARK-Interfax information group’s regional breakdown of Russian Federation constituent entities. The St. Petersburg agglomeration includes 18 districts of St. Petersburg and 7 districts of Leningrad Oblast (Vsevolozhsky, Kirovsky, Tosnensky, Gatchinsky, Volosovsky, Lomonosovsky, and Sosnovoborsky urban districts), each with administrative centers located within ninety minutes of driving distance from the core’s central point (Palace Square, St. Petersburg). Specialization coefficient calculations were conducted for each district of the St. Petersburg agglomeration, revealing distinct specializing types of economic activity. To facilitate analysis, the districts were conventionally grouped based on historical and geographical administrative-territorial principles, resulting in four categories: the historical center, the middle zone, the suburban zone, and the peripheral zone. This grouping allowed for an examination of specializations aligned with spatial and functional patterns typical of urban agglomeration development. The findings from this research hold practical implications for regional and local government bodies in formulating spatial development strategies and documents. They can also be helpful to business entities seeking optimal organization (enterprise) locations.