Application of Nonparametric Method for Segmentation of Regions by Type of Consumer Behavior

The nonparametric method for constructing economic indices allows us to test the consistency of the observed statistical data with the mathematical Pareto model of a rational representative agent. This article proposes an approach to identify economic agents by the regional principle using a generalized nonparametric method. The approach is applied to Russian trade statistics data for 2012–2024. It is shown that in order to match the Pareto model, regions must be grouped. Seven clusters of regions are identified based on the similarity of the structure of consumer behavior. It is revealed that the onset of the pandemic caused discrepancies between the statistics of the group of capital regions and the model. In addition, the differentiation of the identified groups of regions by spending on food and nonfood goods and services is studied.