THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION ON LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IN UKRAINIAN REGIONS

Abstract

The article investigates the disparities in spatial regional economic structure of Ukraine based on comparison of indexes of regional employment diversification in different types of economic activity, indexes of geographical attractiveness of regions and regional indexes of economic integration with European countries and the CIS. An econometric model of regional labor productivity dependence on the level of economic integration and a number of factors based on panel data for 2008 and 2013 is constructed. Elasticity of labor productivity by regional indexes and the share of employees in services is estimated. A significantly positive impact of diversification of economic activities in the economic structure of the region is detected. The advantages, feasibility and perspectives of economic integration of Ukraine with the European Union are substantiated.