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Regional convergence in Russia: Estimating an augmented Solow model

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  • Oshchepkov, Aleksey
  • Lehmann, Hartmut
  • Silvagni, Maria Giulia

Abstract

This paper studies convergence in per capita gross regional products across Russian regions in the period from 1996 to 2017. By applying the system GMM technique we estimate growth equations that are directly derived from the classic Solow model, augmented with human capital and migration and considering possible spatial effects. Our main estimates establish a convergence rate of around 2% per year. While interregional migration and interdependencies of the growth of Russian regions contribute to the convergence process, the role of human capital is ambiguous: when we employ system GMM we do not find any significant impact of human capital on regional growth no matter how we measure human capital, while pooled OLS estimates establish a positive contribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Oshchepkov, Aleksey & Lehmann, Hartmut & Silvagni, Maria Giulia, 2023. "Regional convergence in Russia: Estimating an augmented Solow model," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(4).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecosys:v:47:y:2023:i:4:s0939362523000626
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecosys.2023.101128
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Convergence; Economic growth; Regional economics; Migration; Russia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • P25 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics

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