Disabled Russians turn to entrepreneurship as jobs remain scarce

In Russia, millions of people with disabilities face challenges in finding stable employment. For many, starting a business becomes the only option when traditional jobs remain out of reach. Maria Boyko, a Vladivostok entrepreneur, knows this struggle firsthand—she built her own business after a spinal injury left her with limited mobility. Across the country, 11.4 million people live with disabilities, including 4.3 million of working age. Yet only 1.2 million—about 29.4%—hold formal jobs. The government tries to boost employment through workplace quotas, requiring companies to reserve positions. Nationwide, 444,000 quota-mandated jobs exist, but 84,000 sit vacant.

Boyko argues that the quota system often fails. High costs and rigid rules discourage employers from hiring disabled workers. She suggests better use of existing accessible spaces, like multifunctional public service centres, to create more opportunities. Without formal jobs, many turn to self-employment. Official figures show 110,000 disabled individuals run their own businesses, while another 317,000 work independently. In Primorsky Krai alone, over 109,000 people with disabilities live, making up nearly 6% of the region’s population. Boyko’s own path reflects this trend. After losing her rental space, she shifted her yarn shop into a consignment business. For her and others like her, entrepreneurship isn’t always a choice—it’s a necessity when other doors stay closed.

The numbers reveal a gap between policy and reality. While quotas exist, many disabled Russians still rely on self-employment to make a living. Experts like Boyko call for more flexible solutions, urging better use of accessible infrastructure to create lasting job opportunities.