Geographical realities of Khabarovsk Krai: problems of economic security and their impact on social well-being

With increasing spatial differentiation in the socioeconomic development of the regions of the Russian Federation, ensuring the economic security of the constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District is particularly pressing. Khabarovsk Krai, while possessing significant natural resource, industrial, and transport potential, simultaneously faces a number of specific threats due to its remoteness from the country's central regions, high logistics costs, demographic challenges, and limited social infrastructure. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic security of Khabarovsk Krai through a study of key indicators of social well-being, including food security, the level of financial stability of citizens, the state of the education system, housing and utilities, and healthcare. The study identified key regional threats to economic security, including a high budget debt burden, declining real incomes, youth migration, a decline in the number of students and healthcare workers, and an increasing burden on the healthcare system. At the same time, it was found that the region's overall level of social well-being remains above average due to its developed industrial and infrastructural potential. The scientific novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive assessment of the impact of Khabarovsk Krai's geographic remoteness on the economic security and social well-being of the region's population. The practical significance of this work lies in the potential application of the findings in developing regional socioeconomic development programs, improving economic security mechanisms, and formulating government support measures for the Far Eastern territories.