The quality of labor potential in the Vologda oblast in the context of 20-year observations

In modern economic conditions, the importance of the human factor in territories’ economic development is undeniable. This is confirmed both theoretically and practically. According to the studies, the achieved level of global welfare is determined by almost two-thirds of human capital. This is because the return on its use is much higher than the return on physical capital. Since human capital in Russia plays a less significant role in the system of social production compared to the most developed countries, it is important to study the performance of qualitative characteristics of the population that can be applied in the workplace. In this regard, the purpose for the article is to identify trends and features of the development of labor potential quality in the Vologda Oblast. The choice of the research object is explained, on the one hand, by the elaborated theory of labor potential in domestic science, on the other - by extensive information base on the state of qualitative characteristics of the working-age population. The analysis revealed that over the past 20 years the performance of changes in the quality of labor potential can be represented by stages of “instability” (1997-2003), “sustainable growth” (2003-2008) and “stagnation” (2008-2017), each leaving a certain imprint on its further development. At the same time, the values of integrated indicator increased during the period under review. In the context of basic components of labor potential quality, despite the generally positive changes, the negative trend was demonstrated by indices of intellectual potential, which in the long term may prevent the country’s transition to innovation economy. The limitations include all the shortcomings of studies based on sociological methods of data collection (subjective assessment, impossibility of comparative analysis, etc.).