Development and Application of the Composite Index of the Infrastructure of Russian Regions

Infrastructure is an important condition for the successful functioning of the economy. This paper investigates problem of measuring infrastructure development of Russian regions based on the data of Goskomstat for the period 2010-2014. Infrastructure development is measured by a composite index of infrastructure which consists of two subindexes: logistics and telecommunications. In turn, these subindexes are built based on several factors. As a result of the calculations, the trajectories of the infrastructure index movements for each of the regions are obtained. The dynamics of these trajectories are upward on the national average. In addition, the regions under consideration are subjected to the clustering procedure in the space of trajectories of these indexes by the obtained index values. Four clusters with similar pattern of Infrastructure development and dynamics are created. The corresponding Lorentz curve is constructed for each year from the range of 2010-2014 based on the values of the generalized infrastructure index. An analysis of the evolution of the Lorenz curve in time shows a reduction in the inequality of distribution of infrastructure between regions.