Assessment of changes in the online labour market in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison of the dynamics of rural and urban participation

The digital platforms provide rural and small-town residents with access to quality education and a variety of other services, as well as open opportunities for remote job search and the implementation of professional skills. These processes should increase the role of small towns and villages in the formation of the country's online economy, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the article is to compare the participation of residents of large cities and the rest of the Russian population in the field of online work, as well as to compare their skill level. The authors found that residents of small towns and rural areas of Russia are less active in the online labour market. The level of their qualifications is also relatively low. The conclusions were obtained based on the analysis of search queries on the subject of freelancing originating from these localities.