22.4%

of those who are currently working toward Candidate of Science and Doctor of Science degrees in Russia are younger than 40 years old.

According to a Monitoring of the Labour Market for Highly Qualified R&D Personnel study, the proportion of young people in science is growing slowly, albeit steadily. For example, in 2009, the share of young people was only 18.2%, but in 2012, it had already reached 21.2%. Data on the distribution of researchers by age confirmed the trend that has been noted since approximately 2008, which is that the share of 40-59 year-old researchers is decreasing. Overall, the study showed that the dynamics of the age structure of the labour market for those who hold advanced degrees in Russia is not homogeneous; those holding Candidate of Science degrees are becoming younger, while those holding Doctor of Science degrees are becoming older. The share of the most productive middle age group is growing smaller.

The Monitoring of the Labour Market for Highly Qualified R&D Personnel survey was conducted across Russia in September-October 2015 based on a representative sampling. In total, 2,150 people were surveyed.