This month Russian state news agency TASS revealed that the number of workers under 35 is at its lowest share of the labour market since the early 1990s, with the most significant decrease in 2022 amongst those aged between 25 and 29.
Russia’s Federal Statistics Service suggests that after 300,000 reservists were called up in September’s partial mobilisation, the Kremlin is seeking a further 400,000 recruits through tightening conscription laws and propaganda.
The war in Ukraine has exacerbated Russia’s long-term ‘brain drain’. One million young men have fled Russia to avoid the draft, or in protest at the war. They are usually highly educated professionals whom the country can least afford to lose.
Over 10% of the country’s tech workforce left in 2022, and there has been an exodus of migrant workers fearful of being caught up in the war. Economist Vladimir Gimpelson estimates that emigration and mobilisation cost the Russian workforce approximately 2% of male workers aged 20-49 last year.
Strategic consultant Chris Weafer says that the shortages of labour and skills will be ‘as damaging for Russia’s future economic growth prospects as the sanctions ban on technology’. A sluggish economy and luring workers with higher wages could fuel inflation.
The Russian Central Bank found the availability of employees is at its lowest since 1998. Shortages are most prevalent in manufacturing, industrial enterprises, water supply, mining, transportation and storage. All are likely to impact on domestic war production and the war itself.
Though the defence industry is hiring civilian workers, they are unlikely to possess the experience and specialist knowledge required to be immediately productive. Private sector enterprises are trying to fill traditionally male-dominated roles by hiring women, teenagers and the elderly.
[Photo: GETTY]