Russia’s Jobless Rate Hits New Low, Surprising Markets

Russia’s unemployment rate edged down to 2.1% from 2.2%, a 0.1 percentage point decline that marks a fresh low and signals further tightening in an already strained labor market. The drop represents roughly a 4.5% relative decrease from the previous level, underscoring persistent labor demand.

The actual reading came in below the 2.2% analyst estimate, reinforcing a stronger-than-expected labor backdrop that supports wage growth but adds to inflation risks. Equity investors are likely to view the data as broadly supportive for consumer and retail names on the demand side, while it increases pressure on labor-intensive sectors facing rising costs. The market impact leans longer term, feeding into expectations for central bank policy and the trajectory of interest rates.