This paper explores , the 'myth of the urban peasant' , the widespread belief that urban Russian households are surviving the collapse of employment and money incomes by turning to subsistence agriculture. On the basis of the analysis of official and survey data the paper shows that although many urban households grow food in their garden plots, those with low money incomes are the least likely to do so, while subsistence production is a complement rather than an alternative to paid employment. Moreover, those who do grow their own food work long hours for very little return, spending no less of their money income on buying food than do those who grow nothing. The implication is that dacha use is a leisure activity of the better-off rather than a survival strategy of the poor. Regional data suggests that urban agricultural production persists in those regions in which commercial agriculture and monetised relations are least developed which, it is surmised, retain memories of past shortages By the end of 1998 the average money income of Russian households had fallen to the level of 1970, a decline of two-thirds since 1990. Employment had fallen by around 25 per cent, with a further 5 per cent laid-off at any one time, and the real value of wages and pensions had fallen to less than half the 1985 level, while survey data indicated that only a quarter of those employed were actually receiving their wages in full and on time (Clarke 1999a; Clarke 1998). Such a dramatic and sustained fall in money incomes raises the question: how do Russian households survive? While there has been very little systematic research into the survival strategies of

The occupational mobility of migrants is one of the key characteristics of their economic integration. The article analyzes the occupational mobility of immigrants from their countries of origin to Russia and its main determinants. Mobility of migrants from the last job at home to the first job in Russia and from the first job to the current job in Russia is considered. The empirical basis is the data of a representative survey of migrants (more than 8500 citizens of the CIS countries and Georgia. The evidence shows that immigrant occupational mobility is characterized by a combination of large-scale intense initial downgrading when migrants enter the Russian labor market and a limited occupational progress during their stay in Russia. Higher education and Russian proficiency reduce the risks of downward mobility during the transition from the last job in the home country to the first job in Russia, but their influence on the economic integration of migrants is very limited. A significant factor is the structure of the regional market: the larger the proportion of people employed in labor-intensive service industries, the higher the likelihood of immigrant occupational downgrading. The evidence for Russia is more in line with the proposal of segmented assimilation theory, which suggests that immigrants experience has limited or blocked occupational mobility.

This paper explores, the `myth of the urban peasant', the widespread belief that urban Russian households are surviving the collapse of employment and money incomes by turning to subsistence agriculture. On the basis of the analysis of official and survey data the paper shows that although many urban households grow food in their garden plots, those with low money incomes are the least likely to do so, while subsistence production is a complement rather than an alternative to paid employment. Moreover, those who do grow their own food work long hours for very little return, spending no less of their money income on buying food than do those who grow nothing. The implication is that dacha use is a leisure activity of the better-off rather than a survival strategy of the poor. Regional data suggests that urban agricultural production persists in those regions in which commercial agriculture and monetised relations are least developed which, it is surmised, retain memories of past shortages

This article examines the level and the dynamics of working (economically active) life expectancy in Russia, calculated using the Sullivan method. Our results show that the working life expectancy in Russia is shorter than in European and North American countries. This disadvantage is especially evident for the male population. However, Russian males and females also have the shortest periods of economic inactivity, which is predetermined by a short life expectancy. In the context of mass involvement of young adults in the process of obtaining higher education, the estimated retirement period is calculated to be short. A combination of short periods of working life and economic inactivity, along with a low gender-based diversification in terms of working life expectancy distinguishes Russia from other countries. It has been established that high mortality rate at working age determines a considerable part of losses in working life, primarily among the male population of Russia. The potential for growth of the working life expectancy in Russia is strongly related to further reduction of mortality, primarily within major working age groups.

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyse the prevalence and effectiveness of methods and strategies for job searches amongst recent graduates of Russian universities.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is carried out on data from the Russian Graduate Survey 2016, which is representative of individuals graduating during 2010–2015. The sample included 12,370 individuals. The empirical approach combined standard descriptive statistics, factor and regression analysis (multiple logit regression).FindingsResults show that the most common strategies are a combined strategy that involves the use of formal and informal methods, as well as “pure” informal strategies – applying to relatives and friends or contacting employers. The most effective strategies are job searches with the help of relatives and friends, by contacting employers and with the help of educational organisations. The choice of job search strategy is determined by the expected return in terms of the likelihood of finding a job.Practical implicationsThe paper increases understanding of graduate job search behaviour. The results can be used by multiple stakeholders in higher education to better prepare students for job seeking.Originality/valueThis research, based on a large field survey of recent university graduates, provides the first estimates of use of job search strategies and their effectiveness for Russian university graduates.