Russia's scientific exodus: Universities face budget crisis
At the start of 2024, only 340,000 scientists were working in Russia, the lowest figure since the dissolution of the USSR. The main reason for the emigration is budget cuts at universities, reports the "Moscow Times."
Russia is witnessing a dramatic decline in the number of scientists. In early 2024, about 340,000 researchers were working in the country, a decrease of 1,800 people compared to 2021, marking the lowest level since the USSR era. According to the independent portal "Moscow Times," the primary reason for this situation is the budget cuts impacting Russian universities.
Data from the Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow indicates that since 2020, as many as 7,600 scientists have left national scientific and academic institutions. Compared to 2015, this number has dropped by 40,500, representing a decline of 11 percent. The reduction of funds for science is one of the main factors behind this trend. Since 2015, funding has decreased by 14 percent in real terms, considering inflation.
The war in Ukraine and scientist emigration
The onset of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine has further accelerated the exodus of scientists. Since February 2022, at least 2,500 researchers have left the country, including over 800 who have published in leading global scientific journals. The most scientists, about 23 percent, have left Moscow universities such as HSE, Moscow State University (MGU), Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).
Dmitry Dubrovsky, founder of the Program of Ethnic Studies at the European University in St. Petersburg, estimates that the actual number of scientists who have left Russia is between 7,000 and 8,000.
Many scientists have faced persecution due to their political views and also because of collaboration with colleagues abroad, said Dubrovsky.
After the dissolution of the USSR, nearly a million scientists were working in Russia, which was the highest number worldwide. By 1995, this number had fallen to about 518,700, in 2000 to 426,000, and in 2010 to 368,900. The current situation continues this trend, raising concerns about the future of Russian science.
