Econometric Analysis of Factors of Labor Productivity Growth in Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation

Abstract

In the current context of recovery growth in Russia, the urgent task of identifying factors of growth of labor productivity can be solved using econometric methods. Preliminary examination of interregional comparative analysis of dynamics of this crucial economic efficiency index, in the author’s opinion, showed low information content of this approach due to the presence of a low base effect. The author recommends a more realistic approach to the interregional comparative analysis of the labor productivity dynamics and its growth factors on the basisof econometric panel data models.It was revealed that for the period 2010–2018, the growth of labor productivity in the regions of the Russian Federation strongly correlated with dynamic characteristics of industrial production, real wages and physical volume of investments in fixed assets, growth intensity in the share of added value of high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries in GRP. It has been empirically proven that the growth of labor productivity in the regions in the considered interval correlates with a decrease in the number of employees. In addition, an increase in labor productivity is typical for constituent entities of the Russian Federation with high rates of industrial production.The influence of the structure of employed in the economy on the level of education on the growth of labor productivity has not been established, which may indicate the presence of inefficient jobs. Also, the hypothesis that the export-oriented regions of the Russian Federation are highly productive has not been confirmed.In conclusion, taking into account the results of modeling, the author formulated recommendations adjusting focal points of structural changes in the economy, which could boost labor productivity growth.