RURAL ECONOMY: CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF THE NUMBER AND SUPPORT OF RURAL NON-AGRICULTURAL OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

The article analyzes changes in the concentration of the number and support of rural small and medium-sized entities of non-agricultural specialization (NSMEs), as well as the rural population in the regions of Russia for 2021-2023 using data from the unified register of SMEs and the unified register of SMEs receiving support. It is shown that, in general, the concentration of the number and support of rural NSMEs by region is high and corresponds to the concentration of the rural population, although there are exceptions. The centers of concentration of rural NSMEs have been stable during the analyzed period: Krasnodar Krai and Moscow Oblast. In general, in recent years, there has been a positive growth trend in rural NSMEs in most regions with significant fluctuations in their support and a decrease in the rural population in most regions of the Russian Federation. Support has a positive but not defining effect on the growth of rural NSMEs.