Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

MOSCOWMarch 19, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about the attitude of Russians towards introducing ration cards for low-income citizens (such proposal was made  by "United Russia" party in the summer of 2008 but no further discussion occurred; however in times of crisis the idea is still relevant).

 

 

62% of respondents support the proposal to introduce ration cards for low-income residents (in summer 2008 only 51% of Russians supported this idea).  There were 34% of those who did not like the idea in the previous year, now they are 24%.  Siberia (78%) and Urals (76%) are the regions where this idea is the most popular. Those who opposed are mainly from the North-Western Federal District (32%). 

 

The positive attitude towards introduction of the ration cards is often expressed by the high-income respondents (70% against 62% among low-income ones). On the contrary, those who estimate their financial state as being "bad" or "very bad" are slightly more frequently oppose this idea (26% against 19% among high-income residents).

 

58% think that the introduction of food cards allow low-income residents to get good nutrition, the share of such respondents has increased from 49% since the previous year. A half of our respondents think that low-income people will be provided with essential products; otherwise, if they were given money instead of cards they would spend them for alcohol and tobacco (50%). Simultaneously, 48% are confident that in practice these cards will be given the wrong people, but not those who really need them. Our residents tend to think that those people who buy ration card products will be treated with contempt and disrespect (58%).

 

In some cases respondents divided in opinion towards product ration cards. In particular, the introduction of card is very expensive for state budget (39% agree, 40% disagree). Russians also ambiguously assess the idea that low-income Russians who got products using ration cards would not be dependant on the inflation (39%agree, 41% disagree), though in 2008 they tended to disagree with that (49%).  And finally, opinions divided on the subject whether the introduction of ration cards help ease social tensions (38% say "yes", 42% say "no").

 

Those Russians willing to get product card has increased by the quarter over the past time period - from 28 to 35%. Most of them are respondents aged 60 and above (52%) and those whose family income does not exceed 1500 rubles (50%). Meanwhile, almost half of Russians do not need cards (49%), though in 2008 the share of such respondents was 55%. Russians who tend to think so are mostly those aged under 34 (55-57%), and those who has the income of 5000 rubles and above per family member (55%).

 

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on March 14-15, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

 

There is a lot of talk about the introduction of food ration cards for low-income citizens. The people with low income will get a special card to buy essential products. What is your attitude to this idea?

(close-ended question, one answer)

 

2008

2009

Certainly positive

22

26

Rather positive

29

36

Rather negative

19

14

Certainly negative

15

10

Hard to tell

15

14

Which of the following judgments about the introduction of ration cards do you agree?

 (close-ended question, one answer per each position)

 

2008

2009

Rather agree

Rather disagree

Hard to tell

Rather agree

Rather disagree

Hard to tell

Product cards allow low-income citizens to get full nutrition

49

39

12

58

30

12

Introduction of ration cards is veryexpensive for state budget

40

41

20

39

40

21

Product cards will be given to wrong people; those who really need them will not get them anyway

51

30

18

48

33

19

Low-income citizens will be able to purchase essential products using ration card; if they were given money instead of cards they would  spend them for alcohol and tobacco,  but not for food.

48

37

15

50

32

18

People who purchase products using ration cars will be treated with contempt and disrespet.

34

50

17

24

58

18

Using these cards low-income citizens will not be dependent on the inflation.

33

49

18

39

41

21

Introduction of ration cards will ease social tensions.

31

52

18

38

42

20

I would like to get ration card, I feel I need it.

28

55

17

35

49

16

Which of the following judgments about introduction of ration cards would you rather you agree? "I would like to get food ration card and I feel I need it"

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Income per family member, rubles

Lower than 1500

1501-3000

3001-5000

5001 and higher

Rather agree

35

50

42

42

32

Rather disagree

49

41

36

47

55

Hard to tell

16

9

22

11

13

Which of the following judgments about introduction of ration cards would you rather you agree? " I would like to get food ration card and I feel I need it"

(close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Age, years

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and above

Rather agree

35

27

27

30

34

52

Rather disagree

49

55

57

52

48

38

Hard to tell

16

18

16

17

18

10

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.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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