The article considers different opportunities of transition of territorial economic systems, entities of the Federation and municipalities to the model of self-development. The substance and content of self-development are reviewed as a reproduction process. Sources of self-development and macroeconomic conditions capable both to promote self-development and to restrain it are studied. Classification of the subjects of the Russian Federation according to their readiness for self-development is carried out; recommendations in order to accelerate these processes are proposed. The assessment of sustainable selfdevelopment territorial systems on a number of indicators is presented.