Mechanisms for Managing Changes in the Socio-Economic Development of Lagging Regions

The Russian Federation is a country with significant inter-regional economic differentiation. the main macroeconomic indicators of developed regions-leaders and lagging regions-that determine the level and quality of life of the population differ tenfold. Managing changes in the functioning of lagging regions by creating a basis for their self-sustaining development, building competitive competencies, and digitalization can be an effective way to equalize territorial disparities. The purpose of the study is to reveal the specifics of the functioning of lagging Russian regions, systematize the problems of their functioning and determine the directions of their future self-sustaining development. Methods used in the study: economic and statistical analysis, grouping method, logical, induction and deduction, comparative-historical. The information base of the research is official materials and reports of the Federal state statistics service of the Russian Federation, analytical data and expert reports of Bankstoday, Fincan, Expert RA and the Analytical center under the government of the Russian Federation. Research result. Identification of lagging regions was made. for this purpose, the method of calculating the index of the current level of economic health of the region and its dynamics was applied. The key problems of lagging regions of Russia are systematized: budget restrictions; investment problems; employment problems, reduction of income of the population and reduction of quality of life. It is proved that the existing problems of lagging regions are reference points for their future self-sustaining development. It is determined that an effective way to equalize territorial disparities can be to manage changes in the functioning of lagging regions through the formation of a basis for their self-sustaining development, as well as building competitive competencies and digitalization.