A theoretical and methodological approach to assessing digital inclusion in Russian regions

In the context of the active digitalization of the economy and society, the problems of digital inclusion and digital inequality at the level of Russian regions continue to be relevant. Bridging the digital divide between regions and achieving digital inclusion dictates the need to implement strategies, introduce corrective, stimulating and supportive measures aimed at overcoming the unevenness in regional development. In order to effectively achieve national goals in the analyzed direction, an informed assessment and analysis of the results already achieved are important tools for monitoring and making managerial decisions. Based on the analysis of scientific approaches, the concept of digital inclusion of regions has been clarified, which is considered as ensuring equal and effective digital access of various groups of the population to key goods and markets (labor, healthcare, education, public services, culture, etc.). The author’s methodological approach to assessing the digital inclusion of regions is proposed, based on the calculation of two subindexes: “digital potential of the region” and “realization of the digital potential of the region”. The gap between the values of these indices characterizes the degree of use of the digital potential of the region and the level of digital inclusivity of the region. The methodology is based on official statistical data, which ensures its objectivity, the ability to track and analyze the dynamics.