Industrial Robot Numbers in Russia Set to Rise Alongside Worker Pay
Economists say large-scale adoption of industrial robots could lift wages for skilled manufacturing workers by the end of the decade.
Researchers at the Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy say mass deployment of industrial robots could significantly increase incomes for skilled workers in manufacturing as early as the end of the 2020s.
According to the study, if Russia’s industrial robot fleet grows to 123,000 units by 2030, labor productivity in manufacturing could rise by an average of 25 percent. Under the assumption that workforce size remains unchanged, wages for skilled workers could increase by 11.5 percent.
Today, Russia uses about 12,800 industrial robots, according to official statistics from Rosstat. Robot density stands at roughly 19 units per 10,000 workers, well below the global average.
Robots Against Labor Shortages
Rising robotization is expected to help address labor shortages. With unemployment at record lows of around 2.2–2.3 percent toward the end of 2025, companies are facing a lack of available workers and an aging workforce. In this environment, researchers argue, robots are unlikely to replace people. Instead, they are expected to fill vacant positions and boost overall productivity.
Bringing Robots to the Regions
The highest robot density is already found in regions with strong machine-building sectors, including the Kaluga, Samara, Leningrad, and Tula regions. There, automation has been accompanied by higher output and improved competitiveness, creating room for wage growth. In regions focused on raw materials, tourism, or agriculture, robot adoption remains significantly slower.
The authors stress that the impact of robot deployment is especially pronounced for manual workers whose skills complement automated production lines. Robots take over repetitive tasks, while employees focus on monitoring, equipment setup, and more creative work. This human–robot pairing increases the value of skilled labor and strengthens demand for specialists.
Experts also note that robotization reduces operational risks for businesses, stabilizes product quality, and helps companies adapt to labor shortages. At the economy-wide level, this creates conditions for productivity growth without putting additional pressure on the labor market.
