Russians aged 45 to 64 became the most active applicants

Job seekers aged 45-64 became the most active group in the Russian labor market in 2026. Sociologists associate this trend with a change in attitudes towards age, the transformation of the labor market and the desire of citizens to stay in demand longer. This was told to Izvestia by sociologist, director of the Association of Organizers of Student Olympiads "I am a professional" Valeria Kasamara.

According to Avito Jobs, the most noticeable increase in job seeker activity was recorded among Russians aged 45-64 years. In January – May 2026, the number of resumes in this group increased by 97%, and average salary expectations reached 84,525 rubles/month.

Representatives of other age categories also showed high dynamics. Thus, the number of resumes among candidates aged 35-44 increased by 80%, and their salary expectations amounted to 84,974 rubles/month. The activity of applicants aged 25-34 increased by 69%, while the desired income level reached 73,620 rubles/month.

According to Valeria Kasamara, such statistics indicate that representatives of all ages are actively involved in the search for a new job. At the same time, more experienced specialists traditionally expect a higher level of remuneration due to their qualifications and professional experience.

"Age is no longer a barrier: people aged 45-64 are increasingly viewed by employers as having valuable experience, and older applicants themselves are ready to learn new professions, retrain and work in flexible formats. The share of people over the working age is already 23.7%, and this group is becoming one of the most active in the labor market," sociologist Kasamara shared with Izvestia.

The expert noted that at the same time, the attitude of Russians towards work is also changing. Work is increasingly perceived not only as a source of income, but also as an opportunity for self-realization, maintaining social ties and active longevity.

According to Kasamara, many Russians aged 45-64 do not seek to complete their professional career, since the pension is growing slower than salaries. Instead, they prefer to remain in demand as specialists, learn new competencies, and adapt to changing labor market conditions.

As the sociologist emphasized, the 97% increase in the number of resumes among representatives of this age group in 2026 is not an accidental phenomenon, but a reflection of a new social norm in which age becomes an advantage, and continuing to work is part of a long and fulfilling life.

Read more in the Izvestia article:

Recruitment boom: Russians' job seeking activity increased by 52%