Unemployment rate (annual) in Russia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 2.4% 2027: 2.6% 2028: 3.2% 2029: 3.3% 2030: 3.4% 2031: 3.4%

13.0% (1999) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV

Period	%
Jan 1999	13.0%
Jan 1998	11.9%
Jan 1997	10.8%
Jan 1996	9.3%
Jan 1995	8.3%
Jan 1994	8.1%
Jan 1993	5.9%
Jan 1992	5.2%

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Measures the share of Russia's labour force that is unemployed and actively seeking work. Published by the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), it is the country's headline labour market indicator.

How it's calculated

Calculated as the unemployed as a percentage of the labour force, following the ILO definition, from the household labour force survey. The annual figure averages the monthly results.

Market implications

Record-low unemployment reflects labour shortages driven by demographics, mobilisation and emigration, which fuel wage and inflation pressures. The Bank of Russia cites it as a sign of overheating and grounds for high interest rates.

Limitations

A very low rate may mask underemployment, forced short-time working and distortions tied to the war economy rather than a healthy labour market. Annual survey data carry sampling error, and their reliability is questioned amid sanctions.