Consumption of Material Goods and Services: Regional Characteristics and Trends

Abstract

Consumption of material goods and services is a sphere of economic relations that is aimed at satisfying the material, spiritual and intellectual needs of people. Consumption is the most important stage of the reproduction process. characterizes the level and quality of life of the population, reflects the effectiveness of the state’s socio-economic policy. In recent years, against the backdrop of changing socio-economic conditions, the study of patterns, features and trends in the consumption of material goods and services is a fairly relevant and sought-after area of research. This article analyzes the level and dynamics of consumption of goods and services by residents of the Vologda region, examines the features of the structure of consumer expenditures of households in the region, and identifies income and territorial differentiation in the consumer market. The information and empirical basis of the study are the results of monitoring of the Vologda Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, carried out in the Vologda region. The results of the study showed that, against the backdrop of an increase in the quantity (volume) of purchases of goods and services, a low level of material consumption opportunities for residents of the region remains, which is due to a fall in real incomes, rising inflation, and negative structural changes in family budget expenditures. Risk categories include representatives of the 20% least affluent group, as well as residents of rural areas, whose consumption level is noticeably lower than the regional average. Improving the situation in the area of consumption of material goods and services by residents of the region will depend on the degree of effectiveness of the measures taken by the federal and regional authorities to bring the economy onto a sustainable development trajectory, increase the income of the population, and overcome excessive income differentiation and property stratification of the population.