Migrants needed to fill labour shortage - Russia

Moscow, Russia – The Kremlin has underscored the necessity of immigration to counteract the nation’s shrinking workforce and sustain its development. Speaking to state-run RIA Novosti on Friday, November 22, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described migration as “a necessity” for Russia’s future.

“We face a challenging demographic situation. Russia is the largest country globally in terms of landmass, but our population numbers are relatively low,” Peskov said, highlighting the pressing need for a robust labour force to drive economic and infrastructural growth.

Peskov’s remarks come on the heels of new legislation aimed at combating Russia's demographic woes. Parliament recently approved a law banning “child-free propaganda,” targeting individuals and organisations that promote lifestyles without children. The measure seeks to address declining birth rates, a problem rooted in Soviet-era policies and exacerbated by recent socio-political challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The demographic crisis has been a growing concern for Russia. In July, the Kremlin described the population decline as “disastrous for the future,” despite government initiatives like financial incentives and housing benefits for larger families. These measures have yet to produce significant results.

While the Kremlin encourages immigration to fill labour shortages, anti-migrant sentiment remains a significant hurdle. Workers from Central Asia, who are vital to sectors such as construction and agriculture, often face discrimination despite their indispensable contributions.

Peskov acknowledged these tensions but stressed the need to look past them for the sake of national development. “Dynamic development and the implementation of all our development projects require a workforce,” he said.

Russia’s dual strategy of promoting higher birth rates and encouraging migration reflects the gravity of its demographic challenges. Whether these efforts can effectively reverse the trend remains to be seen.