Analysis of the convergence of digital inequality across Russian regions

In contemporary information societies, digital inequality among populations has become a significant challenge, impeding both social and economic progress. This study aims to investigate the convergence of digital inequality across 79 regions of Russia from 2014 to 2021, with a particular focus on the population’s access to information and communication technologies. Through the analysis of dispersion and Theil indices, the study reveals a trend of convergence and a growing uniformity in digital inequality indicators among the population of Russian regions over the observed period. Notably, there has been a relatively homogeneous distribution of digital inequality indicators across regions throughout this timeframe. The general trend of reduced dispersion signals a more stable and consistent dynamic of indicators across regions, suggesting enhanced stability and similar development trajectories. Moran dispersion diagrams for both 2014 and 2021 have enabled the identification of regional shifts between quadrants, highlighting progress in the trend towards reducing digital inequality among Russian regions. Regions initially characterised by lower levels of internet development have gradually advanced to higher quadrants in the Moran chart in subsequent years. This indicates a convergence process, wherein these regions are narrowing the gap with, or even surpassing, regions with more advanced internet development. This upward trend reflects the effectiveness of governmental policies and measures aimed at enhancing internet infrastructure and technological integration across the regions.