The unemployment rate in Russia edged down to 2.1% in May 2026 from 2.2% in the previous month. The number of unemployed declined slightly to 1.6 million from 1.7 million, while the labour force edged up to 76.3 million from 76.2 million. Employment increased to 74.7 million from 74.5 million, lifting the employment rate to 61.5% after a 0.3% rise. The persistently tight labour market reflects widespread labour shortages across sectors, driven by military recruitment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and ongoing emigration. Authorities expect conditions to remain constrained for years, forecasting a labour shortfall of around 3.1 million workers by 2030. source: Federal State Statistics Service

Unemployment Rate in Russia decreased to 2.10 percent in May from 2.20 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Russia averaged 6.66 percent from 1992 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 14.60 percent in February of 1999 and a record low of 2.10 percent in August of 2025. This page provides - Russia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Russia Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Russia decreased to 2.10 percent in May from 2.20 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Russia is expected to be 2.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Russia Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 2.40 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-03 04:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 2.3%
2026-07-01 04:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 2.1% 2.2% 2.2%
2026-07-29 04:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 2.1% 2.40%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 74.70 74.50 Million May 2026
Employment Rate 61.50 61.30 percent May 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 62.80 62.80 percent May 2026
Minimum Wages 27093.00 22440.00 RUB/Month Jan 2026
Population 146.10 146.10 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 3.40 2.40 percent Dec 2024
Unemployed Persons 1.60 1.70 Million May 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.10 2.20 percent May 2026
Real Wage Growth YoY 5.10 8.10 percent Apr 2026
Wages 109052.00 112654.00 RUB/Month Apr 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 110897.00 109285.20 RUB/Month Apr 2026


Russia Unemployment Rate
In Russia, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.10 2.20 14.60 2.10 1992 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
Russia Unemployment Rate Edges Down
The unemployment rate in Russia edged down to 2.1% in May 2026 from 2.2% in the previous month. The number of unemployed declined slightly to 1.6 million from 1.7 million, while the labour force edged up to 76.3 million from 76.2 million. Employment increased to 74.7 million from 74.5 million, lifting the employment rate to 61.5% after a 0.3% rise. The persistently tight labour market reflects widespread labour shortages across sectors, driven by military recruitment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and ongoing emigration. Authorities expect conditions to remain constrained for years, forecasting a labour shortfall of around 3.1 million workers by 2030.
2026-07-01
Russia Jobless Rate Steady at 2.2%
The unemployment rate in Russia stood at 2.2% in April 2026, unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations. The total number of unemployed increased to 1.676 million from 1.674 million in March but was well below 1.709 million a year earlier. The tight labor market reflects a widespread shortage affecting all sectors, exacerbated by military recruitment and defense industry hiring following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as well as emigration. Authorities project that the labor market will stay tight for years, forecasting a shortfall of 3.1 million workers by 2030.
2026-06-03
Russia Unemployment Rate Rises in March
The unemployment rate in Russia rose to 2.2% in March of 2026 from 2.1% in the previous month. The total number of unemployed increased to 1.674 million from 1.636 million in October but was well below 1.729 million a year earlier. The tight labor market reflects a widespread shortage affecting all sectors, exacerbated by military recruitment and defense industry hiring following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as well as emigration.
2026-04-29