12 August 2021. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey describing the Russian opinions on Komsomol.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (92%) heard about Komsomol; 8% of respondents gave negative answers. Those who are more aware of the Komsomol activities are older respondents (92-94%); only 14-24% of young Russians know what the organization was about.

Three-quarters of those aged over 40 (75%) have been members of Komsomol. Ninety-five percent of respondents aged 60 and older and 77% of the 45-59-year-olds belonged to this organization.

Of those who heard about Komsomol, two-thirds (68%) perceive the organization positively; 8% have negative perceptions; 19% remain indifferent. Positive views are expressed by 73-82% of older generation Russians, 36% of the 18-34-year-olds and 51% of the 25-34-year-olds. Eighty-two percent of those who were Komsomol members and 60% of those who were not perceive its activities in a positive way. Fifty-four percent of the 18-24-year-olds and 32% of those aged 25-34 are indifferent to the organization’s activities.

A vast majority of Russians (79%) consider that the modern Russia needs an organization similar to Komsomol. Seventeen percent of respondents disagree with that. Respondents aged 60 and over are more likely to say that a similar organization is needed (85%). This opinion is shared by 85% of older generation respondents who belonged to this organization and 73% of those among them who did not. Young Russians aged 18-24 are least likely to say that a similar organization is needed nowadays (67%).

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 19, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older 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. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.