Analysis of the State and Trends of Differentiation of Socio-Economic Development of Russian Regions

In this article, the author examines various forms of socio-economic inequality and socio-economic development problems of the Russian Federation regions. The article compares the level of the Russian Federation's federal districts' main macroeconomic indicators in the context of three main groups that characterise investment product development and the standard of living of the population of the regions. For each of the macroeconomic groups of indicators, a rating of regions was derived, representing the level of interregional differentiation. The article suggests directions for improving the mechanism of levelling regional socio-economic differentiation, based on the principles of sustainability and balance and the observance of a dynamic balance of interests in the economic and social spheres. It is concluded that the large-scale and long-term lag in the socio-economic development of the subjects of the Russian Federation is associated with the regional economic and investment policy pursued by the federal authorities.