The Russian prime minister has announced plans to generate 200,000 new job vacancies in the country over the coming years.

Vladimir Putin unveiled the employment target for 2015 and stated the roles will be made available in sngle-industry towns across the nation, the Voice of Russia reports.

Speaking at a meeting of the Independent Trade Unions Federation in Russia, he declared such moves will result in joblessness in such locations falling from 4.5 per cent to two per cent between 2010 and 2015.

"We intend to continue active restoration of the labor market," Mr Putin stated, adding unemployment fell last year to 6.8 per cent from 9.2 per cent, with over 1.2 million roles created or restored in Russia.

Meanwhile, data from the state statistics agency has revealed inflation in the country stood at 8.8 per cent in 2010, remaining at the same rate as the previous year and up by 1.1 per cent in December.

Posted by Kate Griffin