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Regional Economics: Theory and Practice
 

The impact of economic, social and environmental factors on life satisfaction in the Russian regions

Vol. 20, Iss. 3, MARCH 2022

Received: 11 October 2021

Received in revised form: 22 December 2021

Accepted: 27 January 2022

Available online: 15 March 2022

Subject Heading: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONS

JEL Classification: I31, Q01, R11

Pages: 424–450

https://doi.org/10.24891/re.20.3.424

Roman M. MEL'NIKOV Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (IPACS RANEPA), Moscow, Russian Federation
rmmel@mail.ru

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6335-2458

Subject. This article examines the relationship between subjective well-being and economic, social and environmental factors that determine the level of such well-being.
Objectives. The article aims to assess satisfaction with the quality of life in the regions of Russia.
Methods. For the study, I used regression analysis of panel data for the regions of Russia, applying fixed- and random-effects models.
Results. The article finds that social factors have the greatest impact on the level of life satisfaction of residents of Russian regions. Rising per capita cash incomes and environmental factors do not have a statistically significant impact on life satisfaction.
Conclusions. Solving the most acute social problems, overcoming poverty, reducing inequality, and creating means of social mobility will help mitigate the existing restrictions on economic growth and create prerequisites for improving the environmental situation.

Keywords: subjective well-being, sustainable development, regional development, life satisfaction, social inequality

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