Features of digitalization of the Arctic regions of Russia

Digital space allows connecting people without regard to physical space and makes many social services available, which is especially relevant for the Arctic territories. The aim of the study is to analyze the features of the digital space of the Russian Arctic regions. Research objectives: building a database of series of variables in the context of the Russian Arctic regions for the period 2014-2020, making a retrospective analysis of the dynamics of their digitalization, ranking the Russian Arctic regions by the level of digitalization based on the construction of an integral index. The objects of the study are nine Arctic regions of Russia. The results of the study provide recommendations for further digitalization of the Arctic regions. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the application of the index method for ranking the Russian Arctic regions by the level of digitalization for the period 2014-2020 according to four sub-indices: activities of households, population, authorities, organizations, which made it possible to trace the dynamics of indicators, evaluate the effectiveness of measures to develop the digital space of the regions. The methodology makes it possible to carry out calculations based on publicly available statistical data and can be used for territories of various levels when conducting retrospective analysis and strategic forecasting procedures. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the results obtained may be in demand when assessing the effectiveness of digitalization in the course of developing strategies and programs for digitalization of the regional space. The prospects for further research are determined by a deeper analysis of the degree of influence of variables on the level of digitalization of regions and the formation of proposals and recommendations for adapting digitalization processes, taking into account the current international situation.