Half of Employed Russians Work in the Shadow Economy

Escape red tape and taxes

Half of Russia's employable population is engaged in the shadow sector of the economy, according to Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets.

Eighty-six million people are employed in various economic sectors, of which only 48 million are said to be working in legitimate businesses.

"We don't understand where and how the rest are employed," Golodets told a conference at Moscow's Higher School of Economics.

"Our labor market is practically illegitimate, with only a tiny sector functioning under transparent rules," she added.