I should note that these figures are aggregate; the specific shares of the IT and telecommunications sectors are not specified. However, comments from industry representatives following the publication of these figures confirm the “signs of trouble.”
“Signs oftrouble”
“These signs became apparent earlier,” the expert comments. “For example, the sector stopped hiring specialists: in the first quarter of 2026, the vacancy rate in the sector was one of the lowest—2.3% (compared to an average rate of 4.6% for the economy as a whole). And it has been declining over the past few quarters.”
By “vacancy,” the NBS does not mean just any unfilled position, but one for which the employer wants to hire someone, she clarifies.
In addition, the average number of employees in the IT sector decreased by 1.5% compared to the first quarter of 2025, while the overall economy saw a 1.7% increase.
“The average salary in the sector rose by about 10% in real terms (Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025),” Marina Solovyova continues. “But I think this is more likely due to a composition effect resulting from the reduction in low-wage workers, who have been replaced by artificial intelligence.” Data on service exports for the first quarter is not yet available (we are waiting for June 30), but export growth rates in the sector have been slowing over the past few years.”
