Russia: jobs and pay

How much will Russian pensions rise in 2027?

Russian insurance pensions will be raised twice in 2027, by 6.8% on 1 February in line with inflation and by a further 3.3% on 1 April in line with wage growth, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on 12 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The indexation is part of the federal budget bill for 2027–2029, which is being considered by the State Duma and can still be amended. Insurance pensions are paid by the Social Fund of Russia to people who have built up pension rights through work. Benefits for veterans and people with disabilities and maternity capital are also to be indexed.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Siluanov on the 2027–2029 budget (Russian)

What is the average pension in Russia?

The average old-age pension in Russia is planned to reach 29,904 roubles a month by the end of 2027, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on 12 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The figure is a forecast in the 2027–2029 budget bill, after two indexations in February and April 2027. It is an average, so pensions vary with a person's work record and region. The Social Fund of Russia, which pays pensions, publishes current amounts and the rules for calculating them.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Siluanov on the 2027–2029 budget (Russian)

What is the subsistence minimum in Russia?

Russia's national subsistence minimum is set to rise to 20,227 roubles a month in 2027, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on 12 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance. The minimum wage is to rise to 28,935 roubles.

The subsistence minimum is the official measure of the minimum income needed for basic needs. The government's aim is to raise the minimum wage to 35,000 roubles by 2030. Both figures are in the budget bill for 2027–2029.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Siluanov on the 2027–2029 budget (Russian)

What share of Russians are in the labour force?

61.1% of Russians aged 15 and over were in the labour force in 2025, either working or looking for work, according to the World Bank's labour force participation indicator, based on modelled ILO estimates. The rate was 61.8% in 2024 and 62.1% in 2023.

The Bank of Russia said in September 2026 that labour market tightness was gradually easing, labour shortages were decreasing and unemployment was near historic lows but had risen slightly in recent months.

Official sources: World Bank: Labour force participation rate, Russia · Bank of Russia: Key rate decision, 11 September 2026

What share of Russians work in industry?

25.8% of employed people in Russia worked in industry in 2025, according to the World Bank's employment in industry indicator, based on modelled ILO estimates. The share was 26.0% in 2024 and 25.9% in 2023.

Industry includes mining, manufacturing, construction and utilities. The modelled estimates allow comparison between countries but are not a substitute for national labour force survey figures. The Bank of Russia notes that wage growth has been slowing but still exceeds growth in labour productivity, according to its September 2026 decision.

Official sources: World Bank: Employment in industry, Russia · Bank of Russia: Key rate decision, 11 September 2026

What is the minimum wage in Russia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 19,242 RUB a month (about $208). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Russia?

In 2021, average monthly earnings of employees in Russia was $777 a month, according to the ILO. The peak was $936 a month in 2013 and the low $547 a month in 2016. Europe & Central Asia median: $2,174 a month; Russia is 32nd highest of 41. World rank, highest first: 45th of 90.

How high is unemployment in Russia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.1%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Russia placed 46th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 157th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Russia?

7.6%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Russia for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Russia placed 44th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 130th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Russia?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Russia at 61.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 60.9% (2005) to 63.0% (2012). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Russia placed 19th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 94th highest.

What share of women in Russia are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Russia was 54.5% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and Russia placed 25th highest of 47. Worldwide: 83rd of 174.

What is the employment rate in Russia?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Russia was 59.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 60.3%; its low point was 2005, at 56.6%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Russia placed 12th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 75th of 174.

How many workers in Russia are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Russia at 4.9% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Russia is 45th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 164th of 174.

How many people in Russia are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Russia was 93.7% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 2nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Worldwide: 9th of 174.