GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE RUSSIAN LABOR MARKET: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article analyses the economic cost of gender inequality in the Russian labour market through the prism of human capital losses, declining labour productivity and foregone GDP. Based on official statistical data from Rosstat and scientific publications for 2023–2026, three forms of gender inequality are examined: the gender pay gap (33.7% in 2025), the employment gap (female employment rate of 55.4% versus 71.7% for men), and gender segregation (the segregation index is one third higher than the European average). The key reasons for the persistence of disparities are revealed: horizontal and vertical segregation, the “motherhood penalty”, underestimation of women’s human capital, as well as the role of gender stereotypes and informal labour market practices. It is shown that gender inequality leads to underutilisation of human capital, reduced tax revenues and direct GDP losses estimated at 13–14% of its current level, as well as to limited consumer demand and reduced efficiency of labour resource allocation. Economic mechanisms for reducing disparities are proposed: tax incentives for employers, subsidies for women’s retraining after leaving parental leave, development of employment infrastructure, and improvement of the performance indicator system for regional governance. It is concluded that eliminating gender disparities is not only a matter of economic efficiency but also a necessary condition for sustainable economic growth in the context of labour shortages and structural labour market constraints.