Modified methods for assessing the socioeconomic status of Russian regions

Subject. Development of an integrated rating of the socioeconomic status of Russian regions using a modified set of indicators and a weighted data aggregation system. Objectives. To justify the appropriateness of applying weight coefficients in constructing regional ratings, to demonstrate the impact of selected indicators on the final distribution of Russian regions. To compare the results of the author’s assessment with the index of the Russian Information Agency. Methods. Statistical analysis methods were employed, including correlation analysis and construction of interrelation matrices, as well as mathematical modelling of indicator weights. Results. A version of the rating of the socioeconomic status of regions was developed, based on a combined system of indicators and integrated weight accounting. It was shown that changes in the methodology lead to a significant redistribution of the positions of Russian regions, reflecting the sensitivity of the assessment to the choice of initial data and weights. A discrepancy was found between the author’s approach and the methodology of the Centre for Economic Research «RIA Rating» (media group «Russia Today»), indicating the need to refine the composition of indicators and methods of their aggregation. Conclusions. The use of weight coefficients allows increasing the analytical accuracy of the rating; however, strict justification of the choice of initial data and transparency of calculations is required. The proposed methodology can serve as a tool for comparative analysis, but for practical application in strategic planning, it requires additional testing and verification on representative data sets.