Approximately 45,000 Russians are raking in over a million rubles monthly.
In Russia, the information and communications sector boasts the most Russian millionaires, with 9,900 individuals holding this status, according to recent data. This number, however, contrasts with the broader workforce trends, as the average wage for most Russians remains relatively modest at around 97,000 rubles ($1,240) per month.
According to an analysis by RIA Novosti using Rosstat data, millionaire (and billionaire) salaries and fortunes saw significant increases from 2023 to 2025, particularly in heavy industries such as mining, oil, and metallurgy. The 25 richest Russians increased their combined fortunes by about $18.5 billion in 2024 alone, with individual fortune increases ranging from $700 million to over $5 billion in some cases.
The total number of Russian billionaires also increased significantly, jumping from 100 to 146 in a single year, showing concentrated wealth growth at the very top. In contrast, the average wage for most Russians did not experience a proportional increase.
The broader Russian economy saw mixed signals, with GDP growth of about 4.1% in 2023-2024 but a projected decline in 2025, indicating economic stagnation or contraction that does not support widespread wage increases.
HR holding Ventra's study, which involved 28.4 million people from 95,400 organizations (excluding small businesses), revealed that over half of the participants expect their salary to grow by the end of 2025. By May 2025, Russian employers' debts to employees reached 1.6623 billion rubles.
In 2025, 45,000 Russians had a monthly salary exceeding one million rubles, with 34,399 people earning between one to two million rubles per month, and 5,728 people earning between two to three million rubles per month. The construction sector holds over half of the total debt (46.8%), followed by the trade sector with 6,700 millionaires. Financial and insurance companies also have 6,200 millionaires.
The share of Russians earning over 1 million rubles was 0.16% of the total workforce in 2025, up from 0.08% in 2023. Despite this increase, the overall workforce continues to have weak savings and limited wage growth, with the top-tier wealth being dominated by individuals involved in mining, metals, and oil sectors.
According to HR holding Ventra, 68% of company leaders reported that top managers' incomes grew last year, with 40% experiencing an 8-10% increase and a third seeing more than a 15% rise. This growing wealth concentration in Russia's heavy industries raises questions about economic equality and the potential impact on the broader workforce and the overall economy.
In the context of the Russian economy, financial and insurance companies are home to 6,200 millionaires, demonstrating a concentration of wealth among those in the business sector. Despite an increase in the number of individuals earning over one million rubles per month, the overall workforce continues to struggle with limited wage growth and weak savings, highlighting economic disparities across industries.
