Structural analysis of unemployment in the Russian Federation

Abstract

Research aim. The article analyzes the state of unemployment in theRussian Federation. Modern macroeconomic conditions and the state of the labor market necessitate identifying population groups, constituting unemployment risks. Both representatives of different schools of economic thought and modern Russian scholars devoted their work to studying unemployment problems and the need for government regulation of employment and unemployment. However, a more accurate characteristic of the level and state of unemployment requires a more thorough analysis. Materials and methods . In order to present the general picture of unemployment in theRussian Federation, structural analysis of the phenomenon is used with the help of corresponding indexes, which, in our opinion, make it possible to evaluate the level and state of unemployment in detail. Indexes of absolute structure changes, degree of absolute shift intensity were used for analysis, the level of concentration was determined etc. Results . The calculations revealed the most vulnerable groups in the structure of the unemployed, showing the necessity of searching for and applying new forms and tools of government policy for reducing the level of unemployment. According to the official statistics, the level of unemployment inRussia was 5.6 % in 2015. The labor market in theRussian Federation is characterized by a gender gap – unemployed men outnumber unemployed women by 7.8%. Besides, there is a consistent trend of increase in the number of university-educated unemployed people. According to the calculations, the percentage of women with higher and secondary education is higher than the share of men. The difference in the structure of the unemployed among women and men in regards to education is in average about 14% of the maximum possible. Quite a high level of youth unemployment (approximately 25%) describes the unstable position of the given group in the labor market. Calculations of Grofman, Kazinets and Ryabtsev indexes confirm it. Nevertheless, the level of concentration in distribution of unemployment among youth tends to decrease in recent years. Besides, there is a higher level of unemployment in the country as compared to the city. Unemployment in Russian regions is characterized by considerable irregularity, too. The level of unemployment amounts to 6–8% in the major territory of the country. The situation is worst in the Karachay-Cherkess andChechenRepublics, as well as in Ingushetia and Tyva. Conclusion. The analysis of unemployment revealed differences in the structure of the unemployed of different population groups. It suggests the reasonability of using new modern tools of government policy for solving unemployment problems. The most effective measures are the following: application of social partnership mechanism, stimulation of self-employment, small business support, personnel development, organization of public works, setting job quotas, economic support of employers, use of flexible employment forms of the population, information support of labor market, support of non-state services in the sphere of population employment.