All are in the Northwestern Federal District The Northern Economic Region accounted for almost 4% of the national GRP in 2008.

In the partly arctic zone of Russia, monthly wages appear much higher than the national average, but this is offset by the likelihood of payment being much lower.

Although climatic conditions can be daunting, the life expectancy in the Northern region is almost exactly the national average for both men and women.

Youths ambitious for a higher education tend to leave the region; the ratio of students to population is a fifth lower than the national average.

And, for those who live in the region, the expectation of life improving is lower than the national average.