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Would you like to move abroad on a permanent basis, or not?

(% of total respondents, closed-ended question, one answer)

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

60 and older

Likely yes

Likely no

Don’t know

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EMIGRATION MOODS — 2020: EAST OR WEST, HOME IS BEST

Coronavirus pandemic is a bad time for emigration. Russians stay home!

07.09.2020

IN BRIEF

82% of Russians would not like to move permanently abroad; Compared to the last year, the share of those who consider that the number of potential emigrants has increased has decreased by 3 p.p.; Since 2017, the share of those who want to move permanently has decreased by 6 p.p. (16% of total respondents); they would like to do that within the next couple of years (11%); Of those who would like to move permanently (16%), almost one half have not thought about when they would be ready to do that (43%).

MOSCOW, September 7, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to Russians’ emigration moods.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (82%) are not willing to move permanently abroad. Those who consider that permanent relocation is impossible are respondents aged over 34: 78% of the 35–44-year-olds; 90% of the 45–59-olds; 96% of those age 60 and older. Sixteen percent of Russians, including those aged 18-24 (38%), are pondering over the idea to change their place of residence.

However, the share of those who are really committed to their idea (those who are ready to make their goal come true in the next couple of years) is 11% of those who say they are willing to move (16%). Since 2017, this percentage has decreased by 6 p.p.

Thirty-nine percent of respondents say they are not taking any active actions to implement their idea. Those who say that they are currently learning the language (29%), asking friends who have moved for advice (21%), gathering information about the destination country (16%) or saving money (16%).

Sixteen percent of respondents say that the basic reasons behind their desire to move permanently abroad are as follows: higher living standards/salaries/pensions/allowances in other countries (50%; −6 p.p. since 2019); discontent with the current policies (22%); legislation (17%); social protection, stability (16%), and the level of healthcare services (11%).

Generally, every second Russian considers emigration to be a dishonest and anti-patriotic move (51%). There are age-based differences: respondents aged 35 and older tend to disapprove of emigration (50% of the 35-44-year-olds; 59% of the 45-59-year-olds; 69% of those aged 60 and older); however young respondents tend to think that it does not matter where you live, the most important thing is to feel comfortable (71% of those aged 18-24; 64% of those aged 25-34).

Over a year there has been a 3-point decrease in the share of those Russians who say that the number of those who are currently willing to move permanently abroad has increased (29%). A quarter of respondents consider that their number is the same (25%); every fifth Russian says that their number has decreased over the recent years (18%). One-third of Russians (29%) could not answer the question.

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 15, 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 number was 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

In your opinion, has the number of Russians leaving Russia permanently increased, decreased or stayed the same in general over the recent years? (% of total respondents, closed-ended question, one answer)
	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Their number has increased over the recent years	29	18	24	23	23	23	32	29
Their number is the same	37	42	32	33	30	27	29	25
Their number has decreased over the recent years	21	24	23	21	31	27	17	18
Don’t know	13	16	21	23	16	23	22	28

Would you like to move abroad on a permanent basis, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer % of total respondents)
	1991	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Likely yes	16	13	11	13	11	13	11	10	10	17	16
Likely no	70	82	88	85	88	85	86	89	88	81	82
Don’t know	14	5	1	2	1	2	3	1	2	2	2

Have you thought about the time when you would like to move? If so, then when? (closed-ended question, one answer % of those willing to move abroad)
	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Within the next year or two	11	5	13	12	7	17	10	10	11
Within the next three to five years	13	15	14	12	13	12	16	18	19
Within the next six to nine years	11	9	10	10	5	7	11	8	11
In a decade or even later	8	8	8	4	6	12	6	4	10
No, I have not thought about that	39	50	43	49	51	43	44	48	43
I have thought about that but I do not know when it is possible due to circumstances	18	13	12	13	18	9	13	12	6

If you want to move permanently to another country, what are the reasons why? (% of those who do not deny that they are willing to move abroad, open-ended question, up to 3 answers)
	2019	2020
Higher living standards/salaries/pensions/allowances	56	50
I do not like the current government, policies	17	22
Respecting human rights, legislation	7	17
Social protection/stability	22	16
Level of health care services	8	11
More opportunities for career development/business	2	9
Unemployment in Russia	6	8
Opportunity to get a high quality education	6	7
A better climate, environment	9	7
Better future for children		6
Russia does not make efforts to fight corruption	4	6
Higher level of culture/another mentality	1	5
I strongly dislike living in Russia/I like another country	2	5
It is interesting (I go there to have a rest; I have always dreamt about it/I want to see the world)	1	4
A safer place	2	4
My family live abroad	2	2
High taxes in Russia/I do not understand where taxes go	2	1
Other	1	1
Don’t know	19	11

Are you taking any actions to move abroad now or later? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those willing to move abroad)
	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
I am studying a foreign language	16	20	19	18	16	16	19	22	25	29
I am asking my friends who have moved for advice	19	16	17	16	12	11	15	21	17	21
I am saving up money to move	9	14	14	17	17	15	20	19	16	16
I am researching on the country where I want to move	20	21	26	23	14	14	20	26	26	16
I am looking for information about resettlement programs	8	9	7	12	5	4	6	6	10	8
I am taking a further education course that would help me find a job abroad	2	2	4	5	3	4	7	6	6	7
I am looking for a job abroad	11	8	6	4	8	4	6	5	8	7
I am looking for a job (have been employed) at a foreign company with an opportunity to move abroad	1	2	4	5	3	2	3	8	4	4
I am looking for a specific foreign education program	4	3	4	2	3	4	6	9	3	3
I try to find ways to get married to a foreigner	1	4	5	3	4	1	3	3	1	0.5
Other	0	0	0	0	0	3	5	3	1	5
I do nothing special	50	45	39	42	55	63	51	41	37	39

Which of the following statements about emigration is more likely to suit your viewpoint? (% of total respondents, closed-ended question, one answer)
	2019	2020
Leaving permanently the country where you were born and raised is wrong; it is a dishonest and anti-patriotic action	50	51
It does not matter where you live; what is important is to feel safe and comfortable; if you do not feel comfortable you can change the country you live in	42	41
Don’t know	8	8

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.

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