MOSCOW, 15 March 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study on how Russians adapted to the coronavirus pandemic and what changes it brought about.
Coronavirus: fear retreats
Fewer Russians express fear of contracting coronavirus: over the recent year the share of those who are anxious has decreased by 17 p.p. (March 2022 - 41%; March 2021 – 58%). One in four respondents are confident that nothing will happen to them or their relatives (23%). The same number of respondents says they have been ill with COVID-19 (23%). A further 11% say they have not thought about that.
According to 60% of Russians, the Russian government is carrying out sufficient measures to prevent further COVID-19 spread in Russia. Seventeen percent of respondents say the measures are inadequate; a further 16% consider the measures excessive.
Adaptation to the pandemic life
Sixty-one percent of Russians were able to get used to the pandemic; this share is higher among those who were vaccinated and revaccinated (67%). Almost one in four respondents partially got used to it (23%); this share is 28% among the residents of million-plus cities. Thirteen percent have not adapted to the pandemic life.
As to negative changes brought about by the pandemic: one in five point to wearing face mask (20%), 16% report lower quality of health services; cancellation of gatherings and limited in-person interactions are mentioned by 13% (each). A further 12% point to social distancing, 10%, no opportunity to travel abroad and price increase.
Young Russians aged 18-24 are more susceptible to negative changes such as wearing masks and gloves (29%), cancellation of gatherings (22%), lower quality of education (16%) and introduction of QR-codes (12% vs 6% among all the respondents). Older generations are more likely to worry about limited social interaction (28%); the 35-44-year-olds are anxious about fall in living standards (14% vs 9% of total respondents).
Almost half of Russians marked positive changes (48%). They basically refer to changes in career and family: more quality time with family, activities at work (5%, each), events in children’s life and remote work (4%, each).
Young Russians aged 18-24 are more likely than Russians in general to mention an opportunity to get education (12% vs 3% of total respondents), change of job and distant learning (8%, each) as positive changes. One in ten Russians aged 25-34 pointed out addition to family or the birth of a child (9% vs 3% of all the respondents).
Gains and losses
Forty-four percent of Russians mastered new skills during the pandemic; 6% of them learned to use personal protective equipment, acquired computer skills and went through retraining (4%, each). Young Russians aged 18-24 learned distant learning and communication (7%, each).
When asked what new things from the pandemic life they would like to bring into the post-covid future, 8% pointed to remote work, 5%, care for their own health, 4%, social distancing. Young Russians aged 18-24 would appreciate distant learning and remote work as well we restrictions on people's gatherings (24% and 10, respectively).
Freedom of travel is what Russians have been missing the most because of the pandemic (19%). Every tenth respondent is missing the time when there was no need to wear face masks and they could have face-to-face contacts (11% and 10%, respectively). Young respondents are looking forward to lifting the mask-wearing rules (27%), whereas older generation are longing for seeing friends face-to-face (23%).
Russian nationwide “VCIOM-Sputnik” survey took place February 2020 through March 7, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18+ took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. Data were weighted according to the probability of selection and 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.
Russian nationwide “VCIOM-Online” online survey took place in February 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18+ took part in the survey. The online survey is based on stratified random sample, probabilistic panel design. Panel participants are recruited on a daily basis in the course of the CATI-based “Sputnik” survey conducted via random RDD using a complete list of Russian phone numbers. Data were weighted according to the probability of selection and 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.
Are you afraid that you or your relatives may catch the coronavirus? (VCIOM-Sputnik, closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||||||||
| III. 21 | IV. 21 | V. 21 | VI. 21 | VII. 21 | VIII. 21 | IX. 21 | X. 21 | XI. 21 | XII. 21 | I. 22 | II. 22 | 7.III.22 |
Very much afraid | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 4 |
Somewhat afraid | 49 | 49 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 50 | 48 | 37 |
I am confident nothing will happen to me or my relatives | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 23 |
I have not thought about it | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
I have been ill/My relatives have been ill with COVID | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 23 |
Don’t know | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
In your opinion, are the Russian authorities taking adequate or inadequate measures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus in Russia? (VCIOM-Sputnik, closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents (7 III.22) |
Adequate measures | 60 |
Inadequate measures | 17 |
Excessive measures | 16 |
Don’t know | 7 |
Have you adapted, got used to living in the pandemic or not? (VCIOM-Online, closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents |
Men |
Women |
Aged 18-24 |
25-34 |
35-44 |
45-59 |
60 and older |
Yes, fully adapted | 23 | 28 | 19 | 25 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Likely to have adapted | 38 | 35 | 41 | 41 | 40 | 32 | 36 | 41 |
Partially adapted, partially not | 23 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Unlikely to have adapted | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 9 |
No, not at all adapted | 6 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
Don’t know | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
The coronavirus pandemic started in Russia almost two years ago. What changes has it brought to your life? First of all, let’s talk about negative changes (VCIOM-Online, open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents, answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Wearing masks and gloves / fines | 20 |
Worse quality of health services/ difficulty accessing a specialist doctor / long lines in outpatient facilities / lack of high skilled staff | 16 |
Closure of entertainment venues, cafes, kid studios/ cancellation of mass gatherings / restrictions on leisure activities | 13 |
Restrictions in communication /seeing friends, relatives less often | 13 |
Restrictions / social distancing / restrictions in travelling / bans | 12 |
Border closure / less opportunities to travel / impossible to travel abroad / problems travelling between the regions | 10 |
High inflation rate / price increase | 10 |
COVID disease (I and my relatives) / consequences after the disease | 9 |
Voluntary and mandatory vaccination / mandatory vaccination | 9 |
Distant learning, fall in educational levels / remote job | 9 |
Fall in income / low salaries / fall in living standards / poverty | 9 |
Fear for my health and the health of my relatives / worrying about relatives | 8 |
High mortality rate / kin loss | 8 |
Fear, anxiety, panic in life | 6 |
QR codes / PCR tests | 6 |
Worsening of health situation / overweight / difficulties with memory | 5 |
Lockdown / quarantine shutdown / self-isolation | 5 |
Sense of perplexity / change in emotional background / depression / lack of joy | 4 |
Media pressing in / intimidation / pressure / false information | 4 |
Government policies / incompetent authorities / injudicious actions / discontent with the authorities | 3 |
Problems with job (no precision) / increased workload because of higher number of sick workers | 3 |
Loss of job / layoffs / less job | 3 |
Aggression, anger, irritation, nervousness among people | 3 |
Disintegration within society/ vaccinated-unvaccinated divide / conflicts between people because of the pandemic | 2 |
Uncertainty / lack of stability / no confidence in the future | 2 |
I’m fed up with the pandemic / there is no virus / the whole situation really annoys me | 2 |
Breach of rights and freedoms | 2 |
Lack of social protection / lack of state assistance / revocation of benefits | 2 |
Inability to live a normal life / decreased activity / more free time | 2 |
No changes | 4 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 18 |
Let’s talk about positive changes that happened in your life over the recent two years | |
| Total respondents |
Family / I spend more time with my family / more communication with family | 5 |
Work / business / I work / work-related issues | 5 |
Events in the life of my children/grandchildren | 4 |
Remote work | 4 |
Education / self-study | 3 |
Pregnancy, child birth | 3 |
Vacation / holiday | 3 |
Online opportunities, online services / I use computer, Internet/ delivery of goods | 3 |
Alive / Everyone is alive, feeling well | 3 |
Change of job | 3 |
Apartment/house/dacha purchase, mortgage | 2 |
I am healthy/ I wasn’t ill with COVID-19 / I had a light illness | 2 |
Courses for children/grandchildren / enrollment/ completion of a course | 2 |
Art / hobby / more time for hobby | 2 |
Increase in salary, living standards | 2 |
Communication with people / seeing friends | 2 |
Birth of grandchildren/nephews | 2 |
Purchasing a car/ bike | 2 |
Change of values / self-development / personal growth | 2 |
Repairs / construction | 2 |
Dacha / more time at dacha / garden | 2 |
More attention to health / I could spend more time on my health | 2 |
Events in my family/ relatives | 2 |
None | 5 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 47 |
What new skills, knowledge have you acquired over the recent two years? | |
| Total respondents |
Wearing personal protection equipment, masks | 6 |
Computer skills, Internet, software, social media | 4 |
Professional development, retraining, work skills | 4 |
Hygiene / handwashing | 3 |
Remote work / work from home | 3 |
Online purchases / orders, delivery | 3 |
Handcraft / stitching/ knitting / sewing | 2 |
Sport, fitness, exercising, yoga | 2 |
Cooking / kitchen | 2 |
Health / medicine / how to cure, to give an injection | 2 |
Foreign languages | 2 |
Taking care of health / paying more attention to health | 2 |
Reevaluation of values / self-development / critical thinking | 2 |
To keep distance / less interaction with people | 2 |
New profession / new job, work | 2 |
I became a calmer person / ability to handle stress / patience | 2 |
Relationships with people / friends | 2 |
Repairs, construction | 2 |
None | 5 |
Other | 6 |
Don’t know | 51 |
What new things that have become part of your life during the pandemic would you like to take with you in your post-covid future? (“VCIOM-online”, open-ended, question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents, answers of 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Remote work / distant learning, online courses | 8 |
Taking care of your health / care / attention to yourself | 5 |
Social distancing / being cautions in large groups of people / restrictions on gatherings | 4 |
Following hygiene practices / handwashing | 3 |
Remote state services | 3 |
Delivery of products / online purchases / online services | 3 |
Taking care of my family / more quality time with my family | 2 |
Wearing face masks in public places / during outbreaks | 2 |
Nothing changed in my life during the pandemic | 2 |
Hobby / favorite activities / doing things I like | 2 |
New profession / new skills | 2 |
Nothing/ I wish all this ended soon | 11 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 48 |
Is there anything from your “pre-covid life” that you are lacking that you would like to get back to, or not? | |
| Total respondents |
Free travel / travel opportunity/ borders reopening | 19 |
No masks / not having to wear masks | 11 |
Communication / live communication / seeing friends | 10 |
Cultural, mass events / ability to freely visit concerts, theatres, cinemas, exhibitions, museums | 8 |
Security / not being afraid of catching a disease / to communicate a disease to someone else | 4 |
Calm life / calmness in society / stability, confidence, ability to plan | 4 |
Healthcare / available health services / normal healthcare | 3 |
Lower prices, inflation, exchange rates | 3 |
Cancellation of QR codes | 3 |
Family / communicating with family, relatives / more time with family | 3 |
Freedoms / feeling of freedom / free choice | 2 |
Health / health of my relatives / not to be sick | 2 |
Cancelation of vaccination / there was no mandatory vaccination | 2 |
To lift restrictive measures | 2 |
None, everything is fine | 5 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 36 |