An expert warned that the Russian labor market faces a new crisis.

      October 12, 2025, 15:05 — Economy Russia is facing a serious staffing problem that threatens its development and resilience. In the context of the digital transformation of the economy, which requires highly qualified specialists, key sectors — healthcare, education and science — are experiencing a shortage of personnel.

      As Vladlena Rakhmetova, director of risk management and methodology at Vmeste.PRO LLC, told 360.ru, this is due to low salaries, professional burnout, lengthy and costly training, and harsh working conditions.

      The imbalance in pay between sectors exacerbates the situation: couriers earn 150–200 thousand rubles, while doctors, teachers and scientists receive significantly less.

      This situation is reminiscent of the crisis of the 1990s, when, due to economic difficulties, many people with higher education were forced to look for work in trade or engage in shuttle trading. As a result, the country lost a huge number of professional personnel. Today, in the context of digital transformation, there is a risk of repeating this situation.

      The problem manifests in several aspects. First, there is a shortage of qualified specialists. Second, the pay imbalance leads personnel to move to higher-paid sectors such as IT. Third, a "leak at the entry to professions": harsh working conditions and low salaries deter young people from choosing key professions; they choose more attractive ones where pay is higher and conditions are better.

      The staffing problem has serious consequences. First, it threatens the country’s economic sovereignty by weakening key industries. Second, it leads to growing social tension due to ineffective human resource management. Third, it negatively affects citizens’ quality of life.

      To solve the problem, it is necessary to change approaches to personnel management and rethink policies for supporting key professions. It is important to invest in the development of medicine, education and science to ensure the country’s sustainable development.

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