Пространственные индикаторы цифровой экономики в России и странах Европы

Abstract

Despite its significant socioeconomic impact, quantitative evaluation of the digital economy faces several obstacles. Spatial aspects of the digital economy and the relationship between digitization and well-being require further study for a full understanding of the socioeconomic impact on regional and local development. In light of this, the authors of the study aim to select socioeconomic indicators for assessing the development of the digital economy in regions of Russia and European countries, using an overlapping set of initial indicators. The study identified criteria for selecting indicators that characterize the geographic distribution of digital economic activity. Selected indicators include concentration of digital business and startups in specific regions, availability of high-speed internet and mobile networks, level of e-commerce activity, population computer skills, and business digitalization. The study also identified issues with the lack of some important indicators for assessing the digital economy at the regional level in Russia. Based on the collected database, a series of maps were created to assess the spatial development of the digital economy in Russia and Europe. Results show significant differences in the development of the digital economy in Russia and Europe, as well as some limitations in the evaluation methodology, such as data availability and differences in the collection of statistical data at regional and national levels. However, the study emphasizes the importance of developing new approaches for assessing the development of the digital economy at the subnational and international levels.