More than a third of Russians say they live a sober life. About one half of those who consume alcohol have decreased drinking levels over the recent year.
MOSCOW, August 16, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to alcohol consumption.
The survey results reveal decreased drinking levels in Russia: in 2017 the share of Russians who say they do not drink alcohol is 39% (47% among women and the 18-24-year-olds, for each group) compared with 25% in 2009. Fifty-nine percent of Russians drink occasionally, but not more than several times a month; 44% have decreased their drinking levels over a year (only 4% report to drink more).
Sixteen percent of Russians in the whole sample report to drink two or three times a month (23% of men vs. 11% of women); this share is higher among those aged 25-34 and 35-44 (22% and 21%, respectively).
More than three-quarters of respondents believe that all types of alcohol have negative health impacts (80%); this percentage does not drop below 65% even among those who consume alcohol. Only 15% agree that there are harmless alcohol drinks (mainly wines).
Asked about drinking patterns, most of Russians fail to give a clear answer (58%). The remainder tend to think that it is better to drink frequently but in smaller quantities (28%), rather than rarely but in bigger quantities (14%).
The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on August 3-4, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Results for the 2009 and 2011 studies are based on household surveys.
Do you drink alcohol? If yes, how often? | ||||
| 2009 | 2011 | 2017 | |
Every day* | 8 | 5 | 1 | |
Several times a week | 4 | |||
Two or three times a month | 21 | 19 | 16 | |
Approximately once a month | 19 | 17 | 13 | |
Less than once a month | 26 | 29 | 25 | |
I do no drink | 25 | 29 | 39 | |
Don't know | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
*This answer option was not proposed in 2009, 2011.
Do you drink alcohol? If yes, how often? | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Every day | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Several times a week | 4 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Two or three times a month | 16 | 23 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 14 | 10 |
Approximately once a month | 13 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 9 |
Less than once a month | 25 | 18 | 31 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 24 |
I do no drink | 39 | 29 | 47 | 47 | 33 | 30 | 35 | 51 |
Don't know | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Do you drink more/less/the same amount of alcohol as a year ago? | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Now I drink more | 4 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
Now I drink less | 44 | 44 | 44 | 34 | 40 | 35 | 46 | 58 |
I drink the same amount as a year ago | 50 | 48 | 53 | 54 | 54 | 60 | 51 | 33 |
Don't know | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
There is a common statement that there are harmless alcoholic drinks. Do you agree with this statement? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million cities | > than 500,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | < than 100,000 inhabitants | Rural area |
Rather agree | 15 | 22 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 14 |
Rather disagree | 80 | 75 | 83 | 88 | 77 | 83 | 77 |
Don't know | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
Could you specify those types of alcoholic drinks? | ||
| Total respondents | |
Wine (red and white) | 43 | |
Beer | 16 | |
Cognac | 14 | |
Vodka | 12 | |
Champagne | 10 | |
Homemade wine | 8 | |
Alcohol-free beer | 5 | |
Kagor | 5 | |
Nastoika | 4 | |
Samogon | 3 | |
Braga | 2 | |
Whisky | 2 | |
Chacha | 2 | |
Tequila | 1 | |
Liquor | 1 | |
Any type, if the amounts are not excessive | 1 | |
Other | 3 | |
Don't know | 17 | |
In your opinion, what kind of drinking behavior is appropriate– to drink rarely in bigger quantities or frequently in smaller quantities? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Rarely in bigger quantities | 14 | 17 | 13 | 31 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
Frequently in smaller quantities | 28 | 31 | 26 | 37 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 23 |
Don't know | 58 | 52 | 61 | 32 | 51 | 57 | 59 | 69 |
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!