In 2023, nearly half of Russian IT professionals explored opportunities with international companies, yet 49 percent did not receive a single job offer from potential employers. Socialbites.ca obtained these figures from a survey SkyEng shared with editors, revealing a cautious job market for tech talent looking beyond national borders.
The SkyEng findings also show that only 43 percent of all applicants ultimately secured an offer. Within this landscape, 38 percent of Russian IT specialists were invited to roles offering salaries well below typical market levels, with wages not exceeding a thousand dollars in many cases. This suggests a specialized pool of positions that, while available, do not meet the expected compensation standards for many skilled professionals seeking international work experience.
When it comes to mobility, 71 percent of respondents expressed openness to working outside Russia. Their primary motivations include higher wages (43 percent), the prospect of living abroad (25 percent), and the chance to gain new experiences (22 percent). Conversely, 29 percent of those who would not consider international offers cited barriers such as limited English proficiency (28 percent), insufficient funds for relocation (27 percent), and fear of failure (24 percent).
Among the survey group, architects of high-load services, which power large online platforms, demonstrated notable English proficiency. About half of them reported English at intermediate-advanced (B2) or advanced (C1) levels, with 49 percent in these higher tiers, and 28 percent at the intermediate (B1) level. AI developers also stood out for language skills, with 46 percent at B2 and 21 percent at B1 proficiency.
The October 2023 survey involved 1,227 IT professionals who were interested in opportunities with international employers, both within Russia and abroad. The results illuminate a sector where the willingness to work overseas often meets a mixed landscape of salary expectations, language readiness, and the practical challenges of relocation.
Earlier, the Ministry of Digital Development reported a notable trend toward strengthening the share of domestic IT product manufacturers, signaling a parallel shift in policy and market focus that could influence future hiring dynamics and the balance between local and international opportunities.