By the end of 2015, Russians have changed their crisis survival strategies.
MOSCOW, January 20, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey concerning the economy measures Russians have to take due to the crisis.
The crisis year has had an impact on the Russian consumer behavior. The share of those who has started to buy cheaper goods made up 34% in December (vs 22% in January); they are mainly elderly respondents (44%) and respondents who have income below average (42%). A further 18% of respondents say that they have been adhering to this behavior during six months; 7% - during a month. The share of those who do not take any survival measures is the same (38% in January and 37% in December 2015).
Much more Russians have started to buy less or refrain from buying certain items or services (increase from 21% in January to 35% in September). A further 20% have been choosing this strategy for the latest six months; 8% - during a month (less than in January – 23%). Remarkably, the share of those who do not stint themselves remains the same: 34% in January and 35% in December.
Other strategies are les popular among Russians. The proportion of those who try to keep food in store was 32% in December (the share of those who oppose this strategy has increased from 56% to 64%); and the proportion of those who grow more vegetables and fruits at their plots is 33%. Thirty-three percent are looking for a higher-paid job. About one-quarter of Russians spend their savings on everyday needs (26%); but the share of those who oppose this strategy has increased from 66% to 73% over a year. Twenty-four percent borrow money from relatives and friends. Every fifth takes free assistance from relatives (20%) or takes a loan from a bank (20%). Only 9% keep savings in foreign currency; 5% sell their valuable property.
The Medialogia Company analysis reveals that the topic of the crisis was mentioned in the Russian media more than 800 thousand times in 2015. Most of mentions were in February (86 thousand) and December (86 thousand). In February the mass media reported about reduction in state officials’ salaries, mortgage loan problems and social policies. In December, the media informed about fall in oil prices, and forecast of politicians, economists and business community representatives concerning the country’s development.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on December 26-27, 2015. A total of 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions and republics of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%. Russian media monitoring and analysis were carried out by the Medialogia Company using approximately 30 100 sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, information agencies and online media. Research period: January - December 2015.
Some Russians think that an economic crisis came to Russia; they started saving up, borrowing money, accumulating savings, et cet. What strategy do you/your family members use? And for how long? (closed-ended question, one answer per each line , %) | ||||||
| We started to do it a month ago | For the latest six months | For more than six months | We do not do it | Don’t know | |
Buy cheaper products and goods | 12.15 | 7 | 18 | 34 | 37 | 4 |
01.15 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 38 | 4 | |
Buy less or refrain from buying certain products, goods, services, entertainment | 12.15 | 8 | 20 | 35 | 35 | 2 |
01.15 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 34 | 4 | |
Buy products in store | 12.15 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 64 | 4 |
01.15 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 56 | 5 | |
Search for a higher-paid job, a second job or run a business | 12.15 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 63 | 4 |
01.15 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 62 | 5 | |
Spending savings on everyday needs | 12.15 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 73 | 1 |
01.15 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 66 | 4 | |
Borrow money from friends and relatives | 12.15 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 75 | 1 |
01.15 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 70 | 5 | |
Taking on a loan, buying goods on credit | 12.15 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 79 | 1 |
01.15 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 74 | 4 | |
Get free assistance from relatives and friends | 12.15 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 79 | 1 |
01.15 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 72 | 6 | |
Grow more vegetables and fruits, to breed poultry, keep more food in store | 12.15 | 1 | 8 | 24 | 66 | 1 |
01.15 | 3 | 8 | 22 | 62 | 5 | |
Save up in foreign currency (US dollar, euro, etc.), pay money into a currency account | 12.15 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 90 | 1 |
01.15 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 82 | 5 | |
Selling property (car, apartment, dacha) and personal property (cloths, books, household goods) | 12.15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 94 | 1 |
01.15 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 85 | 4 | |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory. Full or partial reproduction of the Medialogia Company materials in other media must contain a reference to the Medialogia Company.