Quick search says that it is like 1.5k+ that get Russians in top 10%. How do you imagine leaving country with salary that way less then that, when there is practically no way for you to get job permit or asylum, and you will get yourself deported the second your travel visa expired?
> Software engineering is (was) an affordable way to climb the social ladder
But aren't those only supports my point? Among those 10% who has access to immigration, how many there are software engineers? And except them (and mafia members) who else can afford to move out of the Russia?
> I'm not from an even remotely wealthy family
5k+ USD Software Engineer salary in the Russia is literally top 2%. Sounds rather exceptional by me
It's easier for some professions as they have more mobility and skills are transferable. But I've seen people from all sorts of backgrounds.
There are some folks involved into crypto/gambling/other questionable companies but I would say they're minority and rarely move to EU/UK/US because of regulations and taxes.
But I am. It is difficult for the top 10%. For an average Russian? Straight impossible.
> My point is that "conscience" or its absence has little to do with your ability to leave.
It has everything to do with the ability to leave. Russian economic system by design prevent economic mobility for those outside of mafia. You either work for mafia or you have no way to get in the top 10%, with very little exceptions such as software engineering.
> It's easier for some professions as they have more mobility and skills are transferable.
No, it is not. It was easier for software developer, sure, but that is it. For any other professions they does not have any additional mobility if we are not talking about some extremely demanded qualification such as pilots or top 1% brain surgeons.
I'm not from an even remotely wealthy family, not a mafia and was able to move to the EU. Not exceptional by any means.