A survey by Avito Rabota, conducted in October 2026 among over 7,000 working Russians, reveals that 46% of respondents prioritize income growth over job promotions. Another 31% believe both factors are equally important for career satisfaction, while only 5% favor promotions over salary increases.
The study indicates that 60% of employees describe their career ambitions as average or below, focusing on work-life balance. Conversely, 33% of respondents report higher-than-average ambitions, particularly among those aged 18–34 and professionals in IT, digital, marketing, and construction sectors.
Non-monetary career advancement is defined by 34% of respondents as the ability to choose projects, while 28% value autonomy in expenses and documentation. Professional fulfillment is primarily linked to enjoying one's work (50%) and financial stability (46%).
Retention factors in companies include good relationships with colleagues (50%), flexible work formats (44%), and competitive salaries (40%). Employers are advised to tailor career offerings based on age-related motivations, as priorities shift significantly between younger and older generations.