Complex assessment of digital inequality in the Regions of Russia

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2023-1-29-143-157

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Olga Yu. Chereshnia

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: chereshnia.o@geogr.msu.ru

Marina V. Gribok

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: gribok.marina@gmail.com

Abstract

The article is devoted to the assessment of digital inequality in the regions of Russia. The authors have developed a comprehensive index based on the concept of three levels of digital inequality. A method of conducting a level-by-level assessment with subsequent integration of the results into a single complex index is proposed. Three groups of statistical indicators were used for the assessment. The first characterizes the features of the population’s access to digital technologies, the second—the skills of using the Internet, and the third—the effectiveness of its use in real life. Based on the calculations performed, maps of digital inequality levels were constructed for the territory of Russia. The results of the study made it possible to compare the level of digital inequality across the subjects of the Russian Federation, identify the regions with the highest and lowest levels of digital inequality, and draw conclusions about the causes affecting the level of computer literacy of the population of the regions. The study revealed that there are infrastructure problems with access in remote regions, economic constraints among low-income groups, and a lack of skills among rural populations and older age groups. Some regions, such as the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, show high levels of computer skills among the population despite a low level of infrastructure development. In other regions, such as the North Caucasus, there is a poor level of infrastructure development, low levels of computer literacy, and the lowest efficiency in using technology to improve quality of life. The strategy for digitalization of the economy in such regions should consider not only investments in digital infrastructure but also programs to improve the computer skills of the population.

Keywords

digital inequality, Russian regions, digital economy

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For citation: Chereshnia O.Yu., Gribok M.V. Complex assessment of digital inequality in the Regions of Russia. InterCarto. InterGIS. GI support of sustainable development of territories: Proceedings of the International conference. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2023. V. 29. Part 1. P. 143–157. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2023-1-29-143-157 (in Russian)