Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russians see no direct correlation between individual’s financial well-being and higher education diploma, however they think it is important for future employment and career.

MOSCOW, July 18, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to the effectiveness and perspectives of the higher education.

 

Over the recent 15 years education has served as a tool for Russians to get a good job (48% in 2004 and 44% in 2019), to get promoted (28% in 2004 and 26% in 2019), or to improve professional skills (26% in 2004 and in 22% in 2019).

Over the recent nine years more Russians started to perceive higher education as a need; the share of those who think that higher education diploma is needed because it is commonplace (from 6% in 2010 to 18% in 2019). Those who think so are mainly young respondents aged 18 - 24 (25%). They also often see higher education as a tool to enhance social status (18% vs 13% of total respondents).

Generally, Russians are confident that higher education helps build a successful career and eases the achievement of life goals; however this stance is getting less popular (76% in 2008 vs 58% in 2019).

In addition, more respondents are skeptical about the importance of higher education diploma for career building (45% in 2008 and 68% in 2019) and confident that the diploma does not guarantee a well-paid or prestigious job (50% in 2008 and 65% in 2019). Those who have doubts are mainly respondents aged 18-24 (74%; 75% respectively), 25-34 (77%; 74% respectively) and 35-44 (73%; 74% respectively).

As in the Perestroika times, today Russians are confident that education does not contribute substantially to individual’s financial well-being (47% in 1991 and 70% in 2019).

Russians are more likely to say that higher education is less available today (53% in 2016 and 63% in 2019). Currently, many respondents do not think that higher education diplomas should be obtained by any means (51% in 2008 and 65% in 2019). A further 55% would put into question the importance of diploma if they had to pay for it (45% in 2008).

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 9, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and 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 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Today many people strive to get a higher education diploma. Why do you think they do that?

(closed-ended question, up to 2 answers, % of total respondents)

 

2004

2005

2010

2013

2019

They want to get a diploma in order to get a good job

48

44

33

37

44

They want to make a career

28

27

12

28

26

They want to get specific skills, to become a professional

26

27

25

28

22

It is common today

7

10

6

13

18

To get new knowledge, to know more

15

15

10

20

16

To get a higher social status, to go beyond their ordinary circle

9

8

5

15

13

To access a cultured, intellectual environment

8

8

6

15

6

To escape army

10

9

2

6

6

Don’t know

4

4

2

2

3

Today many people strive to get a higher education diploma. Why do you think they do that?

(closed-ended question, up to 2 answers, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

They want to get a diploma in order to get a good job

44

42

44

44

47

41

They want to make a career

26

28

25

25

28

26

They want to get specific skills, to become a professional

22

18

22

19

24

25

It is common today

18

25

24

19

19

12

To get new knowledge, to know more

16

12

15

17

16

16

To get a higher social status, to go beyond their ordinary circle

13

18

11

15

12

13

To escape army

6

13

8

3

5

4

To access a cultured, intellectual environment

6

6

6

6

3

8

Don’t know

3

3

1

3

3

5

Do you agree/disagree that education provides a successful career and helps achieve life goals? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2008

2011

2013

2015

2018

2019

Likely to agree

76

72

72

65

63

58

Likely to disagree

19

22

24

28

34

39

Don’t know

5

6

4

7

3

3

Do you agree/disagree that the role of education is often exaggerated and that today people can make a successful career without it? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2008

2011

2013

2015

2018

2019

Likely to agree

45

51

54

52

56

68

Likely to disagree

44

40

39

39

39

30

Don’t know

11

9

7

9

5

2

Do you agree/disagree that the role of education is often exaggerated and that today people can make a successful career without it? (closed-ended question, one answer %)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

Likely to agree

68

74

77

73

59

65

Likely to disagree

30

24

21

25

38

33

Don’t know

2

3

2

2

3

2

Do you agree/disagree that without higher education people can only get low-paying and non-prestigious jobs? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2008

2011

2013

2015

2018

2019

Likely to agree

41

46

42

42

45

33

Likely to disagree

50

44

51

50

51

65

Don’t know

9

10

7

8

4

2

Do you agree/disagree that without higher education people can only get low-paying and non-prestigious jobs? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

Likely to agree

33

23

25

26

35

45

Likely to disagree

65

76

74

74

63

52

Don’t know

2

1

1

0

2

3

In your opinion, is higher education available or less available for Russians today than it was in the Soviet era?

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

 

2016

2019

Likely to agree

38

30

Likely to disagree

53

63

Don’t know

9

7

Do you agree/disagree that getting a higher education degree is worth any money? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2008

2011

2013

2015

2019

Likely to agree

34

35

36

39

29

Likely to disagree

51

51

52

48

65

Don’t know

15

14

12

13

6

Do you agree/disagree that getting a higher education degree is worth any money? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2008

2011

2013

2015

2019

Likely to agree

38

38

30

42

40

Likely to disagree

45

44

57

43

55

Don’t know

17

18

13

15

5

 

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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