Ex-McKinsey and HeadHunter: 62% of Russians who left are ready to return soon

62% of Russians who left the country are ready to return to the country, according to a survey by the consulting company Yakov and Partners (a former division of McKinsey) and HeadHunter. The number of applicants in the Russian Federation who are ready to leave the country for the sake of career opportunities has increased to 58%, in 2020 there were 47%. But only 6% are actively looking for such opportunities.

The majority of respondents who are ready to return from abroad to Russia cite “personal circumstances, better career opportunities, as well as a more favorable economic outlook in the whole country” as the main reasons for this, the study says. “Under these conditions, we can expect that the migration flow that arose in 2022 may change its direction in the next year or two,” says Elena Kuznetsova, partner at Yakov & Partners (quoted from “RIA News”).

About 40% of respondents are ready to move to another region of Russia to increase their financial compensation. Moscow is the leader – every second person is ready to move to the capital. In second place – St. Petersburg, in third – the Southern Federal District. The leaders among the countries to which Russians are ready to move are the USA and Canada. The researchers note that, “contrary to popular belief”, the UAE did not even make it into the top 10 destinations.

Yakov & Partners and HeadHunter also record the return of the labor market “in the direction of job seekers” after the borderline state from spring to autumn 2022. 70% of respondents reported finding their last job in less than a month. Almost half are ready to look for a job longer than this period in order to receive the best job offer. When choosing a job, the key factors are the financial stability of the employer (92%) and financial compensation (89%).

As Kommersant previously reported, the demand for workers in Russia remained high in the first quarter of 2023. Many companies have adapted to the new situation and unfrozen their hiring plans. Among the scarce personnel are the owners of workers and engineering specialties employed in the agro-industrial complex, as well as specialists associated with import substitution and sanctions.

Read more about the state of the labor market – in the material “Kommersant” “Every work we do is honored”.

Leonid Uvarchev