Measuring regional heterogeneity in higher education in Russia: diversification and concentration indices

Abstract

   The article presents a quantitative assessment of regional heterogeneity in the system of higher education in the Russian Federation based on the official statistical form VP–1 for 2024. The methodology employs the Shannon entropy index and the Herfindahl–Hirschman index, calculated across 56 detailed fields of study for all federal subjects. These complementary indices capture, respectively, the degree of diversification and the level of concentration in regional higher education profiles. The findings reveal a pronounced polarization: multidisciplinary centers such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and the Republic of Tatarstan exhibit high entropy and low concentration, whereas peripheral and sparsely populated regions — particularly in the Far East and the North Caucasus — show narrow specialization and high concentration. The study highlights a deep spatial asymmetry in higher education structure, shaped by historical, demographic, and institutional factors.