title: The Fragile Centrality of Teachers: Demographic and Institutional Strains in the Russian Education Workforce
abstract: Teachers occupy a paradoxical position in contemporary societies: they are central to social reproduction and economic development, yet their profession remains structurally fragile. This article reports on demographic and institutional pressures shaping the teaching workforce in Russia between 2016 and 2024, situating the findings within global debates and the BRICS context. Drawing on national statistical data and institutional reports, we trace three interlinked dynamics: demographic ageing, 
journal: Voprosy Obrazovaniya/ Educational Studies Moscow