More Russians go online amidst self-isolation

MOSCOW, April 07, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the Birthday of Runet, a Russian segment of the World Wide Web.

Today 82% of Russians are engaged with digital environment. Seventy-one percent of respondents use the Internet on a daily basis; almost one in ten Russians use it several times a week (7%); 18% do not use the Internet.

Amidst self-isolation, certain Internet usage patterns have changed.

Compared to February 2020, there has been a 6-point increase in the number of those who use the Internet to get news about their city, country or the world (89% vs. 83%).

The number of those who use the Internet for online banking has also increased (78% vs. 72% in February). Only one in ten users do not do banking (9%).

The share of Russians who use the Internet for education or self-education has also increased by 6 p.p. since February this year, reaching 69%.

Most of respondents go online to communicate with friends, relatives (89%); this share is close to the February percentage (-10 p.p. compared to 2018).

The Internet is also used for leisure and entertainment: 77% of respondents watch movies, play games and read books online; this share was smaller two years ago (71%).

The share of those who buy everyday essentials and durables (domestic appliances, furniture) via the Internet has not changed much (26% and 39%, respectively).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 5, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

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.