Economic Prosperity as Evaluated by Inhabitants of the Far Eastern Region of Russia (Based on Materials from the Primorsky Kray Region)

Abstract This article examines basic social and economic indicators which allow us to evaluate the economic prosperity of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) in general and the Primorsky Krai in particular. The authors have conducted analysis of data that characterizes change in vital statistics, gross regional product, average income per capita, average monthly nominal salary, unemployment levels etc., which helps define the social-economic situation in the FEFD and the Primorsky Krai. General analysis of these indicators accentuates the peculiarities of this region, which is the least populated, despite having the largest territory. Its economy is mostly based on producing rawmaterials, and is oriented towards neighboring Asian-Pacific countries. All of the examined indicators bring us to the conclusion that objective economic prosperity for inhabitants of this region is out of the question. Despite dynamics being generally positive, this region falls behind average in almost every index compared to the rest of Russia. Such a situation shows the need to develop a specialized regional policy aimed towards compensating detachment from the center, as well as increasing life quality and living standards in the FEFD. While evaluating the populace’s economic prosperity, the authors emphasize the need to utilize and compare two approaches, specifically – of objective and subjective variety, assuming information would be received from two complementary sources, namely – statistical data and the results of social surveys conducted among the population. This article cites data collected by the authors while they studied the subjective economic prosperity of the Primosky Krai’s populace: this helps determine the level of economic prosperity for the population of Eastern Russia with maximum precision. In general the study’s results can be summarized by stating that most of the region’s population emphasizes the need to increase economic guarantees, while most people do not make any secret of their desire for increased income, so that all their money would not be spent just to cover basic vital needs. The Primorsky Krai’s inhabitants want to develop and satisfy their need for cultural and spiritual progress, and they would also like to make savings to boost their confidence in the future.

economic prosperity of the population, subjective economic prosperity, living standards, safety, social problems