In the article, based on the analysis of the essential characteristics of digitalization, it is proposed to consider the concept of efficiency in relation to the activities of public authorities as a generalized and interconnected series of such concepts as economy, qualimetricity, and effectiveness. The efficiency of public administration, including economic efficiency, is considered as the implementation of management, during which the set goals are achieved (solving a certain socially significant problem, satisfying the interests of the population, maintaining digital competitiveness of region and country) while minimizing costs and observing the current standards of digital maturity. It is proposed to understand the assessment of the effectiveness of public administration as a set of methods for measuring actual indicators that reflect the results of the public authorities’ activities within the framework of the strategies, programs,

and projects being implemented in accordance with the criteria laid down in them, and in this case the assessment is seen as the direct result of such a measurement, which serves to compare the activities of public administration subjects, compare this activity with the declared goals, the results of past periods. The proposed leading and signal indicators can be used in planning and forecasting the level of digital development of regional socio-economic systems.

Highlights

• The article is devoted to the analysis of approaches to assessment of the economic efficiency of public administration in the field of digital development, based on the paradigm of digital transformation
• The obtained results demonstrated the necessity of rethinking methodology for evaluating the economic efficiency of public administration in changed landscape of digital economy and digital society
• The practical significance of the research lies in suggesting assessment of the economic efficiency of public administration in the field of digital development based on methodology for assessing the level of digital development, including leading (early) and signal indicators, that would allow obtaining prospective assessment and take into account heterogeneity of regional digital development