Poverty rate as an indicator of disproportions in the spatial development of territories

Abstract

Subject. The article addresses the relationship between the poverty rate of the population and sustainable and balanced spatial development of territories. Objectives. The study aims at scientific substantiation of the need to reduce the rate of poverty of the population as an imperative to achieve balanced spatial development of territories; indicative analysis of spatial development of territories in the projection "poverty rate of the population" based on statistical data from the Rosstat. Methods. I employed the indicative analysis, index method, and "zone theory". Results. The study demonstrated that poverty is one of the key indicators of disproportions in spatial development of territories, which, in accordance with the concept of "geography of poverty", is due to a lack of investment, remoteness from sources of natural resources, population density, and insufficient spread of innovations. An indicative analysis of the poverty rate in two regions of the Volga Federal District showed the relationship between the spatial development of the regions and the factors of the "geography of poverty". Conclusions. To ensure sustainable and balanced spatial development of regions characterized by a high rate of poverty, the paper offers a number of strategic directions.