Russian women now landing jobs faster than men

Staff shortages and lower salary expectations have reportedly been reshaping hiring trends, according to official statistics

For the first time in five years, women in Russia are finding jobs faster than men, as shifting labor market dynamics reshape hiring trends, Izvestia reported on Monday, citing official data.

Women are now taking an average of five months and three days to find work – four days quicker than men – based on figures from Russia’s Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) analyzed by the newspaper. A similar trend was last seen during the 2020 pandemic, when remote work and demand for nurses briefly erased gender disparities in hiring, Izvestia wrote.

“Women are quicker to compromise with employers,” said Farida Mirzabalaeva, associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. “Companies are trying to cut staffing costs as they face limited options to raise salaries.”

Experts say labor shortages are pushing recruiters to abandon outdated stereotypes. Employers who once avoided hiring women over maternity leave concerns now have little choice.

Women are also seen as more likely to accept lower pay in exchange for flexible hours and a better work-life balance. They tend to work in sectors with high turnover and staff shortages, such as education, healthcare, hospitality, and retail.

Industries traditionally dominated by women, like light manufacturing and tourism, are reportedly also expanding. This year, demand is highest in marketing, cosmetology, design, culture, and the arts. IT is also opening up, as the need for workers overrides gender barriers.

Despite the shift, a wide gender pay gap persists. In 2023, men earned on average 27% more. That gap may be widening further as male-dominated sectors like defense face rising labor deficits.

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Rosstat data shows the average job search now takes just over five months – nearly two months shorter than a decade ago. The national unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.2% in May.

Globally, women participate in the labor force at much lower rates than men – 48.7% versus 73.0% in 2023, according to the International Labour Organization. The gap varies widely by region.