MOSCOW, April 28, 2026. The VCIOM Analytical Center presents the results of the spring assessment of the socio-psychological state of Russian society conducted using its proprietary Emotional Tonometer methodology.

Aggregate indicators of the psycho-emotional state of Russian society

Since January, the Emotional Evaluation Index* has remained stable (+11 points in both April and January 2026), indicating that a positive emotional climate continues to prevail. The Tension Vector ** has slightly increased (−4 points in the current measurement, up 2 points compared to January 2026); however, tension continues to be expressed primarily in an internalized form.

Youth: ambassadors of positivity

A positive emotional climate prevails in Russian society: the share of respondents reporting a cheerful emotional state is 35% (+1 p.p.).

The younger generation shows the highest level of optimism toward the arrival of spring: nearly half of young people are characterized by a “cheerful” emotional state (44%).

People who receive information from multiple sources (both television and the internet) are also more likely to report an elevated mood, with 41% of this group characterized by a “cheerful” emotional state. Diversification of information channels reduces the impact of one-sided exposure to negative content and enhances individuals’ subjective sense of control over the information environment. This helps maintain a cognitive and emotional balance in the information environment.

Who is not feeling emotionally uplifted

In April, the share of respondents experiencing anxiety increased slightly, reaching 25% (+2 p.p.). At the same time, negative emotional states are more pronounced among younger Millennials (41% of them are anxious). This generation faces a high level of social pressures — professional, family-related, and economic: anxiety is no longer merely a background feeling but has become a dominant emotional state.

An anxious emotional state is also more common among active internet users (36%). Notably, compared to the January survey, the level of anxiety in this group increased by 6 p.p. People tend to respond more emotionally to negative news, which captures attention more quickly and remains in memory longer — a phenomenon known as the negativity bias. Online, people are more actively exposed to negative content and are more likely to share it within their social networks, contributing to the formation of information bubbles. While the ability to quickly respond to external “threats” once helped people survive, today it increasingly contributes to a state of persistent stress.

Negative emotional experiences are more frequently reported by residents of large metropolitan areas. Among residents of capital cities, the share of the “Anxious” group reached 35%, while in cities with populations exceeding one million it was 30%. High-density urban environments are associated with chronic cognitive and sensory overload, which may contribute to higher levels of internal tension and anxiety — experiences that are less commonly reported among rural residents.

Emotionally restrained individuals

The “Emotionally Restrained” group moved from second to third place (22%, −3 p.p.). A restrained emotional state is most common among the Stagnation and Thaw generations (27% and 29%, respectively). For these cohorts, restraint reflects not a lack of emotions but their regulation and control. A focus on stability and self-control has helped them navigate challenging times.

The “Excited” group remains stable

The share of the “Excited” group remains unchanged at 18%. Gender differences persist: women tend to experience and express emotions more intensely (24%), compared to 11% of men who are willing to openly display their emotions. The findings suggest that the traditional expectation that “men should not show emotion” continues to influence patterns of emotional expression in Russian society.

A margin of error of ±1–2 percentage points may occur in index calculations due to rounding.

* The Emotional Evaluation Index reflects the prevailing emotional climate along the positive–negative emotional dimension. It is calculated as the difference between the values of the emotional states “cheerful” and “anxious.” When the Emotional Evaluation Index approaches zero or falls below zero (negative values, “−”), this indicates an intensification of negative emotional states. The higher the index value (positive values, “+”), the more favorable the emotional climate within society.

** The Tension Vector characterizes the intensity of emotional experiences, which may be either positive or negative in nature. It is calculated as the difference between the values of the emotional states “excited” and “restrained.” When the Tension Vector approaches zero or takes positive values (“+”), social tension is more likely to be expressed externally and directed toward social and political institutions. Such tension may reflect either a positive emotional orientation (e.g., a surge of patriotic enthusiasm) or a negative one (e.g., protest potential). When the vector value falls below zero (negative values, “−”), social tension is characterized as restrained or suppressed and is directed inward toward the individual.

‘VCIOM-Sputnik’ nationwide telephone survey was conducted on April 1, 2026. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. The method used was a telephone interview based on a stratified random sample drawn from a comprehensive list of mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted by socio-demographic parameters. The margin of error, with a 95% confidence level, does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, survey results may also be affected by question wording and various circumstances arising during fieldwork.

Key survey effectiveness indicators as of April 1, 2026: cooperation rate (CR) *= 0.7206; minimum response rate (MRR) = 0.0198; response rate (RR) *** = 0.0747**

Calculations are based on corporate standard:

 * CR: the ratio of completed interviews to the sum of: (a) completed interviews and (b) all non-completed interviews with respondents who confirmed that they met the sampling criteria

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

** MRR: the ratio of completed interviews to the sum of: (a) completed interviews, (b) interrupted interviews after successful screening, and (c) all respondents for whom it remained unknown whether they met the sampling criteria.

**RR is calculated in the same way as the MRR, with the only difference being that the number of respondents whose eligibility remains unknown is reduced proportionally to the share of eligible respondents among all respondents whose eligibility status (eligible or not) was successfully determined.

* The segmentation was developed using k-means cluster analysis based on responses to the following question: “I will now read out a list of different emotions and feelings. For each one, please indicate whether it describes or does not describe your mood over the past 2–3 days.” Respondents assessed 12 emotions in total: joy, enthusiasm, friendliness, hope, confidence, calmness, fear, anxiety, confusion, sadness, anger, and irritation.

** January data are based on the survey conducted on January 15, 2026.

*** April data are based on the survey conducted on April 1, 2026.

Author: Kristina Dzhgamaze