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.

The unemployment rate in Russia fell to 2.1% in February of 2026 from 2.2% in the previous month, tying for the lowest rate on record. The result was maintained the tightening labor market trend in Russia since the pandemic shock in 2020. The war in Ukraine and the Kremlin's mobilization of working-aged men resulted in an exodus of labor force candidates.

Russia’s unemployment rate remained steady at 2.2% in January, unchanged from December and below market expectations of 2.3%. The persistently low unemployment highlights a widespread labor shortage, exacerbated since Moscow deployed its military to Ukraine in February 2022. The number of unemployed rose slightly to 1.66 million from 1.643 million in December. Authorities project that the labor market will stay tight for years, forecasting a shortfall of 3.1 million workers by 2030.