Every third respondent would like his/her children to get higher education abroad. British, German and American universities are the most prestigious.
MOSCOW, October 2, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to whether Russians want their children to study abroad or not.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents would not like their children/grandchildren to study abroad; they are mainly Russians aged 45-59 (63%) and 60 and over (70%). On the contrary, one-third of Russians would like their children to get higher education diplomas abroad (30%); those are mainly young Russians aged 18-24 (51%) and 25-34 (43%).
Top destinations to study abroad are England (38%), Germany (19%) and the U.S.A. (16%).
The main reason behind the desire to send children/grandchildren to study abroad is the idea that foreign education is high quality (modern, in-depth, prestigious) (47%). Respondents also hope that their children/grandchildren will have more opportunities to get high-paying and interesting jobs (15%). Some respondents believe it is important for their children to study in a country with high living standards (13%) or just want them to have a foreign diploma (12%).
The major reason behind respondent’s reluctance to send children abroad for studies is their satisfaction with the quality of domestic education (39% say Russian education is as good as abroad). The same share of respondents would like their children to study and work in Russia saying that “it is important to be “useful” where you were born” (39%). Another reason behind reluctance is that Russian education is cheaper than the foreign one (13%). Every tenth Russian is scared of sending children/grandchildren abroad (9%); they think that children should live closer to parents.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 15, 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.
Would you like your children/grandchildren to get a higher education diploma abroad? If yes, in what country? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Yes, would (country specified) | 30 | 51 | 43 | 30 | 28 | 18 |
No, I would not | 59 | 36 | 44 | 61 | 63 | 70 |
They already study abroad | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
I do not have children/ grandchildren | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Don’t know | 10 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
Would you like your children/grandchildren to get a higher education diploma abroad? If yes, in what country? (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who specified the country; shown are answers of at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total |
England | 38 |
Germany | 19 |
USA | 16 |
China | 4 |
Europe | 2 |
Czech Republic | 2 |
Switzerland | 2 |
The one he/she will choose | 2 |
France | 2 |
Canada | 1 |
Israel | 1 |
Japan | 1 |
Finland | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Don’ t know | 6 |
Why do you want your children/grandchildren to study abroad? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of those who would like their children/grandchildren to get higher education diplomas abroad) | |
| Total |
High quality education (modern, in-depth, prestigious), system of education | 47 |
More chances to get an interesting job with high salary, high demand | 15 |
High living standards, developed, stable economy | 13 |
Prestigious universities and diplomas, international diploma | 12 |
Opportunity to stay permanently there | 7 |
Improve language skills | 7 |
More opportunities for self-realization | 6 |
Opportunity to see the world, to broaden your mind | 6 |
Another type of people, mentality | 5 |
No corruption | 3 |
Opportunity to live better, no opportunities in Russia | 2 |
More available education (lower fees, easier to be enrolled) | 2 |
Children of public officials and starts study there | 2 |
Let them get it if they want | 2 |
Other | 7 |
Don’ t know | 8 |
Why do you oppose the idea to send your children/grandchildren abroad for higher education studies? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of those who would not like their children/grandchildren to get higher education diplomas abroad) | |
| Total |
Russian education is high quality, decent (not worse; foreigners also come here to study) | 39 |
I want them to study and work in Russia (to be useful where they were born) | 39 |
Cheaper than abroad | 13 |
I am scared of sending them there; they should live closer to parents | 9 |
We have our own values, mentality (which differ a lot from other nations) | 7 |
They may find a job or stay permanently abroad | 3 |
Complicated relations between the countries | 2 |
No point; I do not like the idea itself | 2 |
Language barrier | 1 |
They are to decide | 1 |
More opportunities and prospects for self-realization | 1 |
Other | 4 |
Don’ t know | 1 |
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.