ABSTRACT
Over the past decade increasing economic liberalisation and the consequences of economic stabilisation efforts have had and are having profound effects on the structure of the Russian economy. The economic structure has changed markedly, mainly through disproportionate downsizing of certain branches of the economy, but also through some development of new economic activity. Overall, the population's incomes have generally declined and recorded unemployment has gradually risen. The picture is more differentiated across Russia's regions. As the economy moves towards equilibrium, geographical factors play an important role in governing regional prospects for development.
