The article considers indicators of the development of the big data economy in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and tests the hypothesis that there are prerequisites for the transition to this stage in the selected subjects. The big data economy is considered as a stage that follows the digital economy and is based on the infrastructure created within it. Three main indicators of readiness for the transition to the Big Data Economy are identified: Internet coverage and the degree of its use by economic agents, the presence of data processing centres and the development of virtual infrastructure, the intensity of registration of databases and computer programs by commercial organisations. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the consideration of practical examples of the use of infrastructure for data analysis, and the data on the registration of intellectual property objects by the residents of the Russian Arctic, it is concluded that the Arctic region has the prerequisites for the transition to the Big Data economy.