Russia's state statistics agency, Rosstat, has recently stopped publishing critical data regarding the salaries and headcounts of federal and municipal officials, as reported by the independent research platform 'To Be Precise'. This change marks a significant shift in how data is disseminated, contributing to an increased lack of transparency in the public sector. Moreover, the agency has also removed data related to the representation of women among municipal employees, a key metric previously utilized to gauge progress regarding the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The implications of this suspension extend beyond just financial figures. Salary information for essential sectors such as health, education, and culture is no longer accessible, affecting public sector transparency about compensation for medical professionals, educators, and cultural workers. The planned statistics for the third quarter of 2024, which were expected at the end of November, have been replaced by a notice indicating a temporary suspension of publication, casting further doubt on future transparency. This lack of data follows a precedent set in 2022 when Rosstat ceased annual salary disclosures for civilian employees in government agencies.

These developments signal an ongoing trend of restricting access to public data in Russia, raising concerns among independent researchers and the general public about governance and accountability. The removal of such information can hinder efforts to address disparities in pay within the public sector and may obstruct international commitments concerning gender equality and workforce representation. The situation underscores the growing challenges in tracking and promoting progress toward key developmental objectives, highlighting an increasing opacity in governmental operations and worsening public trust in institutions.