The impact of demographic processes on the state of human resources in the system of higher professional education in Russiaa

The article analyzes the impact of structural demographic shifts on the human resources potential of the higher professional education (HPE) system in Russia. The author states that the “demographic autumn” phase – population aging and a reduction in the proportion of young people – directly leads to a narrowing of the pool of applicants and the personnel reserve of the teaching staff. The key problems identified are the critical aging of the teaching staff (the average age is growing, and the proportion of young specialists is catastrophically small) and a systemic crisis in postgraduate studies, characterized by low efficiency (only 10% of graduates defend their theses) and a high attrition rate. These problems are aggravated by institutional barriers, such as the career “glass ceiling” at the associate professor level, which reduces the attractiveness of an academic career. Government initiatives (for example, Decree No. 597 on increasing salaries) and specific university practices (support funds, mentoring) are considered as countermeasures. However, a conclusion is made about their insufficient efficiency and fragmentation. The author argues that sustainable development requires a systemic policy, including equalization of wages to reduce regional differentiation and the implementation of comprehensive programs to support and retain young personnel in science and higher education.