Abstract:
The paper presents main theoretical and methodological approaches to the «social infrastructure» category,
identifies main distinctive features between infrastructure and social infrastructure. Definitions of the social
infrastructure functioning theory as an important component of the regional economy providing production
and consumption of services and non-material benefits are considered. Social infrastructure notion interpretations
are diverse, which is explained by the absence of clearly substantiated principles, criteria of attributing
certain industries to it, types of industries or activities. Providing public and non-excludable benefits, social
infrastructure is the determining factor for successful socio-economic development and functioning of the region.
It was revealed that the conditions for rural social infrastructure are specific due to insufficient budget
resources. The analysis showed that rural social infrastructure development promotes and ensures efficient allocation
of productive forces and forms of labour relations, including agro-industrial production. Social infrastructure
development is becoming one of the most important priorities for economic modernization, since infrastructure
services provide the basis for increasing all economy sectors’ efficiency.
