Employment in Russia - statistics & facts
Russia has one of the world's largest labor markets worldwide. In 2023, its total workforce aged 15 years and above exceeded 81 million. The country has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the G20, at an estimated 3.1 percent in 2024. Furthermore, Russia is an attractive destination for labor migrants from countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), many of which had a visa-free regime with Russia.
The Russian job market remains attractive due to its relatively low unemployment rate and increasing wages. Among the key challenges faced by the sector are informal employment and a growing shortage of employees in various industries.
Labor market situation in Russia
Russia sees a decline in young employees, which could be explained by a low fertility rate in the 1990s and dismissals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Between December 2021 and December 2022, the number of working 25-to-29-year-olds fell by over 720,000. Working men outnumber women, with the male employee count having reached nearly 37 million in 2022. By contrast, just over 35 million women were reported to have been employed in that year. Employment in the informal sector is considered widespread, with almost one in five Russians being employed in industries unregulated by the state.Labor shortage is on the rise
Faced with emigration and mobilization, Russia faces an employee deficit. The Russian Academy of Sciences estimated the country was short of 4.8 million workers in 2023, with the largest share of organizations with a demand for employees recorded in the food and beverages industry. The number of job vacancies in the country has been increasing since 2016, with most of them being in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Other affected sectors include hospitality, defense, transportation, logistics, and construction.How high are salaries in Russia?
In 2023, the average monthly salary in Russia reached 73,709 Russian rubles (around 715 U.S. dollars as of November 2024), up 12.8 percent from the previous year. To compare, consumer prices in the country increased by around 5.9 percent throughout 2023. The wage range between 75,000 and 200,000 Russian rubles was the most common, as roughly a quarter of employees earned that per month. Furthermore, three percent were paid between 200,000 and 400,000 Russian rubles.The Russian job market remains attractive due to its relatively low unemployment rate and increasing wages. Among the key challenges faced by the sector are informal employment and a growing shortage of employees in various industries.
