Changes

[[Image:Russian band in Pushkin.jpg|thumb|240px|Russian band in Pushkin.]]

[[Image:Russian band in Pushkin.jpg|thumb|240px|Russian band in Pushkin.]]

===Labor force===

===Labor force===

The Russian labor force is undergoing tremendous changes. Although well educated and skilled, it is largely mismatched to the rapidly changing needs of the Russian economy. Official unemployment has dropped in recent years to 6.9%, and labor shortages have started to appear in some high-skilled job markets. Nonetheless, pockets of high unemployment remain and many Russian workers are underemployed. Unemployment is highest among women and young people. Following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and the economic dislocation it engendered, the standard of living fell dramatically. However, real disposable incomes have doubled since 1999, and experts estimate that the middle class ranges from one-fifth to one-third of the population.  In 2006, 15.8% of the population lived below the subsistence level, in contrast to 38.1% in 1998.

The Russian labor force is undergoing tremendous changes. Although well educated and skilled, it is largely mismatched to the rapidly changing needs of the Russian economy. Official unemployment has shrunken in recent years to 6.9%, and labor shortages have started to appear in some high-skilled job markets. Nonetheless, pockets of high unemployment remain and many Russian workers are underemployed. Unemployment is highest among women and young people. Following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and the economic dislocation it engendered, the standard of living fell dramatically. However, real disposable incomes have doubled since 1999, and experts estimate that the middle class ranges from one-fifth to one-third of the population.  In 2006, 15.8% of the population lived below the subsistence level, in contrast to 38.1% in 1998.

 

===Statistics===

===Statistics===

*Population (2007 est.): 141.4 million.  

*Population (2007 est.): 141.4 million.