Workers and Employees of Bashkiria and Udmurtia in 1940-1955: Employment Figures and Wages

Abstract

This comparative analysis examines data on the workforce in two regional economies (Bashkiria and Udmurtia) during the years 1940-1955. The selected period is unique due to the extreme transition from peacetime to wartime economies and back. Special attention is given to analyzing the indicator of “average monthly wage levels”. Materials from leading federal archives and one regional archive were utilized. A detailed comparison of indicators between the two regions is conducted. It was found that before the war, industry played a significantly larger role in Udmurtia's economic structure compared to Bashkiria, but during the war years, the proportion of industrial workers in Udmurtia only slightly increased, while in Bashkiria it more than doubled (a consequence of evacuees being relocated). The study reveals that during the examined period, sectors such as construction and geological exploration developed at a significantly faster pace in Bashkiria compared to Udmurtia. In 1940, the largest sector by number of workers and employees was the industrial sector, with the educational system coming in second place, playing a key role in preparing the workforce. The conclusion drawn is that by the end of the study period, a positive outcome was achieved with living standards surpassing pre-war levels.

Keywords

• bashkiria
• udmurtia
• economic sectors
• workforce figures
• wages