According to SuperJob data cited by Expert, the number of IT, internet, and telecom vacancies in 2025 fell by 13%, while the number of resumes rose by 11%. In January 2026, only 10–11% of IT vacancies were open to entry-level candidates, compared to 37–38% across the broader labor market.
Data from Habr Career for the second half of 2025 shows 10,820 vacancies, a 38% decrease from the first half. Of these, only 870 positions were for interns and juniors, while 6,463 were for mid-level and senior specialists.
Statistics from the Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation for 2022 indicate that 67.9% of those convicted for computer-related crimes were under 30 years old, with 48.2% in the 18–24 age group and 19.7% in the 25–29 range.
Research on Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (unauthorized access to computer information) for 2018–2023 suggests that unemployment and lack of career prospects can increase the vulnerability of young people with technical skills to illegal income opportunities.
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) operates the Cyber Choices program to steer young people toward legal technical careers. Between December 2017 and April 2025, the NCA processed 1,041 referrals. Participants showed lower recidivism rates compared to control groups: 13.83% versus 29.35% for general crime, and 15.08% versus 32.9% for minors.
