Indigenous peoples in Russian Arctic labour market

Abstract

Abstract The article is dealing with indigenous peoples’ sustainability issues in Russian Arctic labour market. There we surveyed 74 indigenous communities and 32 municipal unitary enterprises in the Arctic. Obtained data helped to identify demanded occupations for indigenous peoples in the Russian Arctic for the period of 2035. It turned out that 75% of respondents continue working in occupations that are traditional for indigenous peoples (reindeer farmer, coastal fisherman, whale hunter etc.) in the Russian Arctic, 25% continue working in occupations demanded in Arctic labour market mainly in social sphere (doctor, teacher and kindergarten teacher). Both Rosstat data and indigenous peoples’ surveys’ results indicated that indigenous peoples are usually not enrolled in vocational educations programmes. After graduating both schools and boarding schools, indigenous peoples usually do not continue their education. They also have a high disposal rate at tertiary vocational education organisations in case they are enrolled. Unequal access to education as well as labour market is a strong characteristic of indigenous peoples in the Russian Arctic.