Regional free cash flow dataset: An approach to regional performance evaluation

Abstract

This data article provides estimates on the Russian regions' aggregate free cash flow, which is not covered by national statistics of major countries. A proper microeconomic model was adapted to regional level data to derive a synthetic indicator of a regional economy's performance. The data contributes to the set of regional performance measures thus enabling a new look at studies of economic growth and development. Conventional economic growth indicators, such as GDP, fixed capital investment or industrial output, are widely criticized since they can have negative values only in terms of growth rates thus showing no evidence of value creation or deterioration. Our data on regional free cash flow eliminates this drawback. Keywords: Regional performance, Economic development, Free cash flow, Economic value, Regional economy