MOSCOW, 27 February 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey on the future that the Russians see for themselves and their children – in Russia or abroad - today compared to thirty years ago.

You are needed where you were born

Pondering over the future of their children and grandchildren, Russians opt for Russia as a country where their children and grandchildren will study and work: 71% do not want their children/grandchildren to get education abroad; 70% are against international employment; these opinions are more common than thirty years ago (+51 p.p. and +35 p.p., respectively). It seems like in 2023 global political, economic and financial crises make Russians make their choices in favor of their own country.

The older the respondents, the more often they are against foreign education (31% of the 18-24-year-olds; 58% of the 25-34-year-olds; 76% of the 45-59 –year-olds and 86% of those aged 60 + ) and employment abroad (24% of those aged 18-24; 56% of the 25-34-year-olds; 76% of those aged 45-59 and 87% of those aged 60 +).

Only one-fifth of Russians want their children/grandchildren to study and find a job abroad (20%, each). Compared to 1993, their appreciation of foreign education has decreased by 33 p.p., and that of international employment, by 22 p.p.  

Those who are interested in foreign studies are mainly young Russians (51% of those aged 18-24 and 31% of those aged 25-34); the same is true regarding foreign jobs (54% of the 18-24–year-olds and 30% of those aged 25-34). Obviously, young respondents think that studying and working abroad are prestigious and trendy.

On emigration

Russians view their country as an attractive place to live, both for their children/grandchildren and for themselves.  Over the recent thirty years, the share of those who do not want their children/grandchildren to move abroad for studies or for job has increased by 16 p.p., up to 83%.  Compared to 1993, the percentage of those who would not like to move from Russia themselves has increased by 18 p.p. (90%).

The older the respondents, the more often they are against emigration: both for their children/grandchildren (87% of the 45-59–year-olds and 95% of those aged 60 + vs. 60% of the 18-24-year-olds; 67% of the 25-34–year-olds), and for themselves (97% of those aged 60+ vs. 76% of the 18-24-year-olds; 79% of those aged 25-34). Apparently, as people grow older they have a better idea of the advantages and disadvantages of living in any country, and to live in Europe does not necessarily mean to live better than in Russia. Moreover, with age people tend to have a stronger desire to be near family, and their interest in changing the place of living is fading away.

One in ten respondents are in support of emigration (11% for their children/grandchildren; 8% for themselves). Compared to 1993, in 2023 both desires are less common (- 5 p.p. and - 7 p.p. respectively).

The younger the Russians are, the higher the number of those who favor the emigration of their children /grandchildren (30% of the 18-24–year-olds and 19% of the 25-34–year-olds vs. 3% of those aged 60+), and the number of those who would like to move permanently themselves (18% of the 18-24-year-olds and 15% of those aged 25-34 vs. 3% of those aged 60+). Young people still seem to be driven by their desire of new discoveries, new emotions and impressions.

VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide telephone survey was conducted 21 January, 2023. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interviews, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-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.

Key effectiveness indicators, survey of January 21, 2023:  cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.8287; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0187; response rate (RR)*** = 0.1079. Calculations are based on the corporate standard:

* CR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews and b) non-interviews with eligible respondents.

** MRR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews, b) interrupted interviews after successful screening and c) all the respondents where it is unknown whether they meet the selected criteria or not.

** RR is calculated in the same way as MRR, with the only difference that the number of respondents with unknown eligibility decreases proportional to the percentage of eligible cases in the total number of respondents with identified eligibility or non-eligibility.