Regional features of the distribution of potential labor in Russia

The article examines the theoretical and applied aspects of the concept of “potential labor force” as a key element of human capital and a factor of sustainable economic growth. The analysis of the content and structure of the potential workforce, which includes the working-age population, young people, pensioners, the unemployed and people outside the workforce. Special attention is paid to assessment methods, factors influencing the realization of potential, as well as the role of education, migration and digitalization. Based on the analysis of statistical data and scientific research, it has been shown that the effective involvement of potential labor in the economy contributes to increased productivity, reduced unemployment and enhanced social sustainability. The necessity of developing a comprehensive policy for activating labor potential in the context of demographic and technological transformations is substantiated. The relevance of the topic is due to the aging of the population, a decrease in the number of able-bodied people in certain regions and increasing instability in the labor market. Effective management of the potential workforce requires interagency cooperation, investments in education and retraining, as well as the creation of flexible forms of employment that take into account modern challenges.