Ageism and low wages: how older job seekers from the Volga Federal District are looking for work in 2025

      Analysts at hh.ru examined the labor market situation in the Volga Federal District and found that 60% of respondents plan to continue working after reaching retirement age, while another 24% are already working while on a pension. Only 2% said they do not intend to work after retiring.

      Often, older residents of the Volga Federal District remain in their professions due to a lack of money, 60% of survey participants reported. Another 43% admitted they do not want to sit at home, and 9% noted that there is simply no one else in their family who can work.

      The study shows that job hunting in 2025 remains difficult for all ages, but the nature of the difficulties differs. Young people (18–24) most often complain about low wages (51%) and high competition (28%); jobseekers aged 25–34 cite problems with transport accessibility (47%) and non‑transparent working conditions (28%).

      Older respondents face different kinds of difficulties: 45% of jobseekers over 55 reported that employers reject them specifically because of their age. Among those aged 45–54, 26% encounter this problem.

      In addition, women receive age‑related rejections more often than men (34% versus 30%) and face a shortage of vacancies near their homes (35% versus 29%), whereas men more often complain about low wages (42% versus 40%).

      According to Maria Ignatova, research director at the online recruitment platform, mature specialists remain an important part of the Russian labor market but need support. The expert noted that pensioners and pre‑pensioners constitute a significant and active segment of Russia’s labor market. Despite their desire to work, they face systemic challenges — age discrimination, low wages offered and geographically limited vacancies. Meanwhile, employers who want to retain their experience and skills could offer higher salaries, corporate pension programs and expanded voluntary health insurance packages. Today, representatives of up to five generations can work together on the same team, and it is important for employers to take into account the needs of each age group.