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The Russian State’s Size and its Footprint: Have They Increased?

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Listed:
  • Gabriel Di Bella
  • Oksana Dynnikova
  • Mr. Slavi T Slavov

Abstract

The short answer: The size of the Russian State has not increased much in the last few years, but its economic footprint remains significant. Concretely, the state's size increased from about 32 percent of GDP in 2012 to 33 percent in 2016, not far from the EBRD's estimate of 35 percent for 2005-10. This is different from the mainstream narrative, which contends that the state's size doubled in the last decade. However, a deep state footprint is reflected in a relatively high state share in formal sector activity (close to 40 percent) and formal sector employment (about 50 percent). The deep footprint is also reflected in market competition and efficiency. Although sectors in which the state is present are more concentrated, concentration is large even in sectors where the state's share is low. This suggests the need to protect and promote competition, in particular in state procurement. Finally, state-owned enterprises' performance appears weaker than that of privately-owned firms, which may be subtracting from growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Di Bella & Oksana Dynnikova & Mr. Slavi T Slavov, 2019. "The Russian State’s Size and its Footprint: Have They Increased?," IMF Working Papers 2019/053, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/053
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mr. Jacques A Miniane & Ezequiel Cabezon & Mr. Sebastian Weber & Christine J. Richmond & Ms. Dora Benedek & Mr. James Roaf & Mr. Francisco J Parodi & Mr. Peter Dohlman & Rima Turk & Bobana Cegar & Mic, 2019. "Reassessing the Role of State-Owned Enterprises in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe," IMF Departmental Papers / Policy Papers 2019/010, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Marek Dabrowski, 2019. "Factors determining Russia's long-term growth rate," Russian Journal of Economics, ARPHA Platform, vol. 5(4), pages 328-353, December.
    3. Hüseyin Şen & Ayşe Kaya & Ayşegül Durucan, 2023. "New insights into the growth-maximizing size of government: evidence and implications for Turkey," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2243-2296, August.
    4. Bobana Cegar & Mr. Francisco J Parodi, 2019. "State-Owned Enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Assessing Performance and Oversight," IMF Working Papers 2019/201, International Monetary Fund.

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