Russia's shrinking workforce pushes AI and robotics to fill the gap by 2032

Russia is facing significant labour market challenges, with unemployment hitting a historic low of 2.2% in 2025. By 2032, the country could experience a workforce deficit of 500,000 due to productivity trends and economic growth targets. A major transformation of Russia’s labour market is expected by 2026. AI adoption is reshaping job roles but has not led to job losses. Instead, it complements existing workforce efforts.

Robotics will play a key role in sectors relying on manual labour, helping to address shortages alongside AI. The highest potential for GenAI adoption is seen in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, and the Samara, Tomsk, and Novosibirsk regions.

Removing barriers for top-performing businesses could double productivity. Adopting GenAI, robotics, and remote work may boost labour productivity by 21–33% by 2032. By then, efficiency will determine Russia’s economic competitiveness. Labour productivity remains the only sustainable driver of economic growth in Russia. Without improvements, the country risks falling short of its GDP targets. Technology and policy changes are critical to addressing the looming workforce gap.