Regional agglomeration effects in Russia’s economy

Agglomeration effects in the economy can be regarded as an additional advantage that a city or a region gains by making optimal use of its specialization. However, it is the factors and processes that form such effects that are significant for the overall economic system, they reflect the dynamics of development at the level of presence or absence of rationality in the regional policy. The article proposes an approach to the assessment of emerging agglomeration processes based on the specialization of regions in four economic sectors: agriculture, extractive and manufacturing industries and services. The approach is tested in Russia's regions in 2020-2022, the results obtained are compared with similar data of the period 2002-2012. The research results showed that human capital remains the basic resource, and the agglomeration effects depend on the sphere in which it will be directed. We proved that much in the socio-economic development of the region depends on the current policy to a greater extent than on external factors. The conditions of previous development are important - the composition of the leading regions in certain industries does not change. We note that in 2002 agglomeration effects were more frequent and significant, and in a number of regions they were strongly reduced, especially in the manufacturing and services sectors. The study contributes to the field of scientific knowledge in terms of proposing and testing in Russian regions an approach to identifying competitive advantages through the determination of agglomeration effects in various sectors of the economy. This approach contributes to the development of a more targeted socio-economic policy and creates prospects for a more efficient use of resources. The results of the work can be useful for expanding theoretical knowledge in the field of regional economics and for practical implementation in local governance.