This work is devoted to the study of the essence of the concept, causes and main characteristics of depressed regions in foreign countries. The paper highlights the main approaches to the implementation of measures to support depressed regions, as well as the main indicators for assessing the effectiveness of their implementation. Based on the analysis of the experience of the development of depressed regions in foreign countries, basic recommendations for the improvement of regional policy in the Republic of Belarus have been developed.

Public Sector Performance Index (PSP) and Public Sector Efficiency Index (PSE) are the most accessible ways to estimate the comparative efficiency of public finance on the macroeconomic level. We construct PSP and PSE indices for Belarus and find that the efficiency of public expenditures in Belarus is high compared to other post-Soviet economies.

This paper analyzes the concepts, causes and main characteristics of depressed regions and evaluates the level of depressed regions (districts) of Belarus using system of socio-economic indicators.

This paper explores the development of local self-governance in the Republic of Belarus.