The Siberian Federal District in the modern Russian economy

The development of the Siberian Federal District at the current stage is analyzed in comparison with nationwide economic statistics for Russia. Major differences in the trends of socioeconomic statistics in the region at the initial and subsequent stages of market reforms are described. Major factors are singled out that contributed to the negative trends in the regional economy, particularly, the significant decline in the district's share in aggregate nationwide production and consumption, as well as the aspects of the appearance of these factors in the 1990s and at the turn of the century. One of the main reasons behind the low per capita GRP is the district's specialization, which is disadvantageous in the current economic model. In particular, the key negative factor is the low share in the nationwide output in such activities as commerce, real estate, rent and services, and financial activities. It is also demonstrated that the period of radical changes in the spatial structure of production and consumption that caused this decline is mostly over and that relative stabilization of the district's positions in the Russian economy and even leadership in growth rates according to certain macroeconomic indicators are happening. It is also emphasized that the positive changes for the district are still limited in scope and almost completely a reflection of high oil production growth rates, preventing the argument that sustainable recovery of previously lost positions has begun. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2015. Original Russian Text © Yu.S. Yershov, 2014.