02.09.202616:27:11UTC+00Russia Unemployment Rate Edges Higher

Russia’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.3% in July 2026 from 2.2% in June, marking its highest level since April 2025. The labor force aged 15 and over stood at 76.4 million people, of whom 74.7 million were employed and 1.7 million were unemployed. Registered unemployment remained very low at about 0.3 million people, or 0.4% of the labor force. Year-on-year, the unemployment rate also rose to 2.3% from 2.2% in July 2025. Over the same period, the number of unemployed increased by 4.8%, while employment declined by 0.5%.

Despite this modest uptick in unemployment, labor market conditions remain tight, underscoring persistent labor shortages across many sectors amid ongoing military mobilization following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and sustained emigration. Authorities expect these labor constraints to continue, forecasting a shortfall of about 3.1 million workers by 2030.