Regional features of the socio-economic development of the Volgograd region in the context of the pandemic
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across Russia's regions, but economic sectors are beginning to open up cautiously. The necessary health measures taken in response to the pandemic have led to a severe reduction in mobility. And they are accompanied by high economic costs. As a result, the regions recorded a decrease in real GDP in 2020 by at least 4.1 percent. This reduction is 1.3 percentage points more than it was predicted in April 2020 [1]. Amid the subdued pace of the global economic recovery, the risks of deterioration prevail, while the pandemic continues to put Russia and other countries to the test. Ensuring that health systems are adequately resourced and that support programmes are appropriately targeted remains a top priority. In the near future, decisive action must continue to be taken to preserve jobs, provide liquidity to companies and households, protect the poor, and create a carefully crafted economic action plan for economic recovery. Further measures will be needed to address the pressing challenges posed by vulnerabilities in countries with limited fiscal capacity, to ensure a smooth economic recovery while maintaining macroeconomic stability [2]. In the current situation, the study of regional socio-economic development is an urgent issue. The authors analyze the statistical data of the socio-economic situation of Volgograd and the Volgograd region. Such indicators as the demographic situation in Volgograd and the Volgograd region, the standard of living, the level of employment and unemployment are considered in detail. The problems are considered; and measures are proposed to stabilize the economic development in the region.