UK intelligence: Russia experiences biggest labour shortage in decades

Russia is almost certainly facing its worst labour shortage in decades.

The UK Defence Intelligence cites data from a survey of 14,000 employers conducted by the Russian Central Bank, which found that the number of available employees is at its lowest level since 1998, Ukrainska Pravda reports.

Russia's population has reportedly decreased by two million more than expected over the past three years due to the impact of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.

Up to 1.3 million people left Russia in 2022, including many young and well-educated people who work in high-value industries.

The Russian Ministry of Communications said that about 10 per cent (100,000) of IT workers left the country in 2022 and did not return.

Mobilisation, all-time high emigration, and an ageing and shrinking population are limiting the labour supply.