Social Expenditures of Russian Regions in Terms of "Input-Output"

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to conduct a comparative assessment of social expenditures effectiveness in different regions of Russia. The method developed and tested by the authors with the use of the data for 2015 is based on DEA (data envelopment analysis method). The authors view relative poverty of the population as the main result of social expenditures, while social expenditures per capita are used as resource costs. A significant difference in effectiveness of social policy tools is also identified, as well as its extensive nature in the Russian regions. We come to a conclusion that there is a considerable potential in the field of optimization of social expenses. The lowest indices of «input-output» ratio in the sphere of social protection are the case in the least and in the most developed regions, which can be explained, in the first place, by the lack of sufficient resources, and in the second place, by the lack of incentives. The results of the research can be used for measuring comparative effectiveness of social expenses in different regions and for identifying the best examples of the practical realization of social programs. Analysis of the leaders' and outsiders' experiences will promote an increase of social programs efficiency in the Russian regions. In conclusion, the authors underline the expediency of allocating part of transfers from the federal budget to the regional ones depending on the effectiveness of social expenditures.