In Russia, the gap between what women and men expect to earn in the coming years widened by the end of 2023, with women’s salary expectations about 42% lower than those of men, according to a March study by the recruiting platform HeadHunter (HH) cited in a newspaper report. The research highlights a notable shift in how expectations diverge by gender in the job market, an issue that has persisted across occupations and generations.
The HH study found that Russian women projected earnings roughly 23 thousand rubles below men’s on average. This figure reflects not just individual choices but broader patterns in the labor market, including differences in occupational distribution, perceived career progression, and family responsibilities that can influence salary trajectories over time.
Experts pointed to the largest gaps in fields such as raw material extraction, management consulting, agriculture, healthcare, and information technology. Analysts noted that several factors contribute to these disparities, including women’s comparatively lower emphasis on long-term career advancement in some sectors and the ongoing challenge of balancing work duties with caregiving expectations at home. In other words, structural and cultural dynamics within workplaces and society help shape these salary expectations and the gaps that accompany them.
The study also revealed age-related variations in expectation gaps. Among older workers, the difference was more pronounced: women aged 41 to 50 were projected to accept salaries averaging about 38 thousand rubles less than men their age. Conversely, for younger cohorts, the data suggested smaller gaps, with women aged 14 to 18 expected to earn about 5 thousand rubles less than their male peers at the same life stage. These contrasts imply shifting pressures and work-life considerations across generations, as well as evolving norms around career persistence, training, and opportunities for advancement that may influence how young women view the labor market.
Meanwhile, observers had noted a prior period of growth in the length of the standard workday in Russia, a trend that can compound gender differences in earnings if it disproportionately affects the types of roles and hours women are willing or able to work. The interplay between longer work hours, sectoral demands, and caregiving responsibilities continues to shape expectations and real outcomes in the Russian labor market, underscoring the importance of equitable policies, flexible work arrangements, and transparent compensation practices across industries.
Overall, the findings highlight a persistent mismatch between the salary expectations of Russian women and men, with variations that depend on age and field. While some gaps reflect genuine market dynamics, others point to structural barriers that may limit women’s advancement and compensation over time. Stakeholders, including employers and policymakers, are increasingly considering how to address these disparities through targeted initiatives, improved parental support, and concerted efforts to promote inclusive leadership and equal pay for equal work [citation: HeadHunter study].