Gender Inequality in the Russian Labor Market: Econometric Analysis of Wage Gaps

Gender inequality in the labor market remains a significant socio-economic challenge, despite progress in women’s education and employment. This study addresses the need to identify the underlying causes of this inequality in order to inform policies that could reduce the gap and enhance both labor productivity and social stability. The aim is to assess the extent of the gender wage gap in the Russian labor market and to analyze the factors driving these disparities. The analysis draws on 2023 microdata from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE). The Mincer wage equation is estimated using ordinary least squares with heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors, complemented by a logit model to evaluate the probability of occupying managerial positions. Several model specifications were tested to ensure robustness. The results reveal a persistent gender wage gap of 26–29 %, even after controlling for human capital characteristics, with men’s wages significantly exceeding those of women, ceteris paribus. Higher education exerts a stronger effect on women’s earnings, while parenthood increases men’s incomes but has no positive effect on women’s. Women also face limited access to managerial positions, consistent with the existence of a “glass ceiling”. These findings have implications for public policy measures to reduce gender disparities and foster equal opportunities for men and women in the Russian labor market.