Russian economy meltdown as Putin forced to beg pensioners and 14-year-olds to work

Russia is facing a population crisis that could wipe out its workforce. (Image: Getty)

Russia's catastrophic labour shortage has forced businesses to hire teenagers and retirees to fill jobs as the population crisis worsens. This issue has been brewing for years as the war with Ukraine continues, which has sent many working age people to the frontlines. Job adverts asking for "young applicants" as young as 14 skyrocketed by 119% in the first quarter of last year, Russian outlet Nakanune reported.

Demand for workers between 16 and 18 also doubled. Openings for workers 55 and above increased by 65% in the culture and education sectors, and 12% in the service industry. Vladimir Putin has been scrambling to increase employment amid the population crisis, allowing 14 year olds to get a job and raising the retirement age. Russian men can now retire at 65 (up from 60) and women at 63 (up from 55).

The war in Ukraine has caused a labour shortage and population crisis. (Image: Getty)

The continuing labour shortage has pushed up wages and increased inflation, which hit 9.9% earlier this year amid Western economic sanctions.

This comes as labour minister Anton Kotyakov warned of the staggering scale of Russia's population crisis as birth rates plummet and working age people are needed for the war effort.

He estimated that an extra 10.9 million people would be needed in the workforce by 2030 to replace those who will have retired and to fill 800,000 new jobs.

Kotyakov warned of an "additional shortage of personnel" if the current productivity estimations are not met. The Kremlin has also been discussing efforts to increase the birth rate, which Putin called a matter of "ethnic survival".

He has been encouraging women to have as many as eight children, including through cash payouts and tax breaks for large families.

The population of Russia was roughly 146 million in 2024, but this could be slashed in half by 2100 if the crisis continues, the Atlantic Council said.