SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY OF DIGITALIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF RUSSIAN REGIONS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the digitalization level of Russian regions on the dynamics of their economic growth and to identify the associated spatial disparities. The information base includes data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation for 2020–2025. The study employs index and correlation analysis methods, the coefficient of variation, and regression modeling to evaluate sectoral effects. The results reveal a stable positive relationship between the level of digital maturity and the growth rate of the gross regional product (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.62). The gap in GRP dynamics between regions with high and low digitalization levels reached 17 percentage points over the period under review. The elasticity coefficient of GRP concerning the digital maturity index ranges from 0.35 to 0.40. Significant sectoral differentiation in the impact of digitalization was identified, with the greatest effect observed in the information and communication sector (0.52) and financial activities (0.48). Spatial analysis showed high heterogeneity in digital development: the coefficient of variation of the digital maturity index ranges from 10.2% in the Central Federal District to 22.5% in the North Caucasus Federal District. It is concluded that digitalization, while acting as a driver of economic growth, simultaneously exacerbates interregional disparities, forming a polarized model of spatial development. The obtained results can be used to adjust regional policy in the field of digital transformation.