MOSCOW, February, 11 2009. Russian Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents data on what role love plays in the life of Russians: do they go dating, at what age did they first fall in love and marry their "first love", do they believe in love at first sight and what rules the world, to their opinion?

45% of Russians are currently in love (in 2003 - 2007 they were more: 53-54%). The share of those who do not feel they are in love has increased over the year - from 35% to 48%. Those who are in love are often men (49%), married respondents (51%) and those aged 18-34 (65-67%). On the contrary, women, single respondents (61%) and respondents aged 60 and above (73%) mostly say that they do not feel love.

15 % of Russians believe that love rules the world; this share has increased by 11% compared to 2007. Most of respondents, who think so, are both married and single (15% each); citizens in civil marriage think so rarer (9%). Over the previous two years the share of those who believes money rule the world has declined (from 54% to 39%), though this answer is still leading. Those who share this position are mainly Russians in civil marriage (49%). On the contrary, the share of Russians who are confident that the highest power rules the world has increased (from 10% to 18%). Another 16% think that this is mind (in 2007 - 12%). The part of those who believe this is an accident (3%) or brute force (2%) is the least. Compared with 1992 the data almost have not changed.  

Russians believe in love at first sight - more than half think it is possible (59%). This opinion are equally shared by men and women(58% and 60%), both married and unmarried (60% and 59%). The younger the respondents are, the more often they say  they believe in love at first sight: from 55% of Russians aged above  45 to 65% among those who are younger than 34. Men (31%), respondents in civil marriage (45%) and those aged 45-59 (37%) tend to take up right opposite stance.

Almost every quarter (23%) goes dating, and more than two thirds of Russians (77%) do not do that. Men more often then women tell that they date the opposite sex (25% against 20%). Women, on the contrary, often say that they do not go dating (79% against 74%).  At the same time, unmarried respondents mostly tend to say that they date someone (44%), the share of those in civil marriage is twice more than those who are married (22% against 10%).

 Often Russians choose cafe as a place for dating. (40%). Every fifth meet in the cinema (20%), 19% - at home, 18% - outdoors. 9% report that they meet in parks, 8% say in clubs. 6% of Russians meet in the nature, the share of those who visit friends or go to restaurants is 5% for each group. 4% of Russians choose bars, 3% - theatre or museum, 2% date in a car.

Most of the time Russians say that they first fell in love when they were 13-16 years old (38%). Every fifth (21%) happened to fall in love when they were 17-19 - those are mostly women (24%). 10% of Russians say they were 20 and above, 9% were 7-12 years old.  Only 3% say they first fell in love in pre-school age (up to 7 years old).

Almost every quarter (23%) married their "first love". This share is increasing from 7% among 18-24 year-old to 34% among those aged 60 and above. More than half of Russians (59%) report that they married another man/woman: they are mainly women (61%) and those aged 35-44 (71%). 17% of respondents say that they have not married yet; most of them are men (21%) and respondents aged 18-24 (70%).

Both men and women say that hair color does not influence their liking for the opposite sex (38% for each). Nevertheless, women more tend to think they like brunettes (31% against 20%); as for men, vice versa, the answers that they are attracted by blondes are twice more (23% against 11%). Both men and women equally like chataignes (14% and 15% respectively). Men (5%) more often then women (1%) like red. The bald are the least popular (0-1%).

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on February 7-8, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

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!