MISHUSTIN’S GOVERNMENT: THREE YEARS IN OFFICE: VCIOM: Russia Public Opinion Research Center

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MISHUSTIN’S GOVERNMENT: THREE YEARS IN OFFICE

20.01.2023

Healthcare, education and agriculture are top three priorities the Russian government should be aimed at, according to Russians.

МОСКВА, 19 January 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to the performance of the Russian government headed by M.V. Mishustin.

Government for Russians

The way how Russians assess the performance of the Russian government headed by Mikhaill Mishustin is a key indicator showing how successful his job is. The January survey shows that Russians show interest in the performance of the Russian government over the recent three years (90% could provide assessments). Moreover, these assessments are generally positive: the share of the positive assessments is three times larger than the percentage of the negative ones (68% VS. 22%).

Older generation tends to approve of the performance of the government headed by M.Mishustin (77% of those aged 60 and over). Those who have negative evaluations are basically men (29% vs. 17% of women) and the 25-34-year-olds (29%).

Positive assessments rely on approvals of social support measures and social benefits introduced by the government (28% in the group of those who view positively the performance of the government), focus on the retired persons, pension increase (18%), road construction and repairs (11%), the opinions that “the country is developing / getting better/ changes are evident” (9%), living standards are improving (8%).

Social support measures and social benefits behind positive perceptions of the government’s performance are often mentioned by Russians aged 35-44 (31%), and the 45-59-year-olds (32%).
Russians in older age groups are more likely than others to point to higher attention to retired persons and pension increase (18% of the 45-59-year-olds; 33% of those aged 60 +) as reasons why they approve of the government’s performance.

Negative perceptions are primarily caused by price increase (36% in the group of those with negative perceptions), followed by lowering of living standards (20%). The third position is shared by low level of healthcare services, fee-based healthcare services (14%), security issues (14%), low salaries (10%) and the fact that the authorities do not keep their promises/ poor work of the authorities locally / wrong domestic policy/ citizens’ problems are not being solved (9%).

The older the respondents are, the more often they point out price increase as the main reason why they disapprove of the government’s work (41% of the 35-44-year-olds; 38% of the 45-59-year-olds; 44% of those aged 60 +).
Respondents aged 35-44 complain about low salaries and the lack of salary growth (18%).
Most of those who say that people’s problems are not being solved come from the 25-34 and 45-59 age groups (14% and 13%, respectively).

As to the measures taken by the Russian government over the recent three years, respondents single out social support for citizens / introduction of social benefits/rise in minimum monthly wage and social benefits for families with children / maternity capital (10%, each), indexation of pensions (5%), anti-Covid measures (5%) and solving housing-related problems / construction / mortgage loan / renovation (4%).

Decisions by the Russian government over the recent three years have not gone unnoticed. Russians mark road and transport infrastructure (53%), followed by social protection (40%), house construction, digital technology and healthcare (38%, 37%, 35% respectively).

Russians positively perceive the decisions being implemented by the Russian government in various areas. The percentage of Russians who share positive opinions exceeds the share of those who have negative views: roads and transport infrastructure (61% with positive views; 18% with negative views), social protection (54% vs. 16%), digital technology (54% vs. 12%), security (53% vs. 15%), agriculture (52% vs. 16%), house construction (51% vs. 15%), science (47% vs. 14%), culture (46% vs. 17%), and industry (45% vs. 19%).

Russians rated highly the effectiveness of social support measures taken by the Russian government amidst two major challenges of the recent three years – the coronavirus pandemic and sanctions. Two-thirds of Russians consider the government’s response to be effective (68% amidst the coronavirus pandemic; 65% amidst western sanctions).

Women are more likely than men to consider that the government’s response to COVID-19 was effective (73% vs. 61% respectively).
Russians with good or very good financial well-being are more likely than Russians with low level of financial well-being to consider that the government’s social support measures were effective both during the pandemic (81% vs. 42%) and amidst sanctions (80% vs. 45%).

The following changes under the government headed by M.Mishustin were marked by Russians. It has become easier to receive state services (82%), and the government offered more measures to support families with children (79%). Supplies of domestic products and goods have increased (72%); the authorities have become more available through social media (70%). Domestic tourism has become more attractive (69%); and young Russians have more opportunities for self-development (61%).

Young Russians are less likely than older Russians to consider that more Russian goods and products became available (60% of those aged 18-24; 57% of those aged 25-34 vs. 77% of those aged 45-59 and 84% of those aged 60 +).
Those who disagree that the authorities have become more available through social media prevail among men (21% vs. 14% of women) and among the 25-34-year-olds (23%).
Older generation often points to higher attractiveness of domestic tourism (79% of the 45-59-year-olds; 74% of those aged 60+ vs. 56% of the 25-34-year-olds; 62% of those aged 35-44).
Women are more likely than men to consider that young people have more opportunities for self-development now (67% vs. 54% respectively).

The Russian citizens would like to be aware of the Russian government activities. They want to know more about social support measures (27%); government's annual results (23%), implementation of national projects (22%), results achieved by certain ministries and agencies (20%), members of the government (15%), and results of the government meetings (15%).

Russians felt different emotions/feelings/ sensations regarding the measures taken by the Russian government over the recent three years. Hope takes the first place (37%), followed by anxiety (24%), stability (23%), confidence (21%), and pride (19%).

The population generally approves of the Mishustin’s job performance. The number of positive assessments considerably exceeds the number of the negative ones (70% of “definitely good” or rather good” vs 16% of “definitely bad” or “rather bad”).

The performance of Mikhail Mishustin received more approvals than the performance of the Russian government in general.

Those who tend to approve of the way M.Mishustin is handling his job are older generation (82% of those aged 60 and older). Negative assessments are mostly given by men (19% vs. 12% women), and respondents aged 25-34 (23%).
As with the government performance assessments, the performance of the prime minister is also shaped by family’s financial well-being, apart from age and gender: a vast majority of those who assess their financial well-being as good or very good provide positive assessments (86% vs. 5% who gave negative assessments); 34% of those who consider their financial well-being as bad or very bad give negative assessments (46% assess it positively).

The performance of the Russian government meets the expectations of half of Russians (51%). Sixteen percent report that the government’s performance exceeds their expectations; 25% expected more; 8% failed to give an answer.

Russians with good or very good family’s well-being are more likely than Russians with bad or very bad financial well-being to consider that the Russian government is performing better than expected (25% vs. 7%).
Those who say that the government’s performance meets their expectations most likely come from Northwestern federal district (22%) and least likely from Central federal district (12%).

Russians are positive about the performance of the Russian government for the next three years. Optimists who say that the government will perform better extremely prevail over pessimists (44% vs. 6%). Forty-two percent of Russians do not expect changes in the work of the government. A further 8% are undecided.

Expectations of how the Russian government will be performing over the next three years depend on family’s financial well-being. Positive expectations are expressed by Russians with good or very good financial well-being. This group is represented only by optimists (53%); pessimists represent only 2% (within the margin of error). In the group of Russians with low financial well-being the number of pessimists is the biggest (10%), but even in this group the share of optimists (30%) exceeds the number of pessimists.

The list of areas Russians think the Russian government should focus on in the near future is headed by healthcare (58%), followed by education (41%), and agriculture (23%).

Healthcare is of concern for women (65% vs. 51% men).
Education is also gender-specific (46% of women vs. 34% of men). Russians with higher education diplomas (47%) are highly concerned about education; those who are least interested in these areas are Russians with secondary level of education (23%).

All-Russian telephone survey was conducted January 12-14, 2022. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interview, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted according to 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.

In January 2020, a new composition of the government headed by Mikhail Mishustin was announced. In your opinion, has the Russian government been performing well over the recent three years, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Definitely well + likely well	68
Likely poorly + definitely poorly	22
I know nothing about the performance of the government	4
Don’t know	6

Why do you think that the Russian government has been performing well over the recent three years? Give several reasons (open-ended question, no more than 5 answers, % of those who say that the government has been performing well; answers that gained at least 2%)
	Those who say that the government has been performing well
Social benefits / payments	28
Growth / payment of pensions / attention to retired persons	18
Repairs / road construction / bridges	11
The country is developing / getting better / changes are evident	9
Living standards are improving	8
Increase / payment of salaries in a timely manner	8
Keeping / maintaining / improving economy	7
Construction / development of infrastructure	6
Opening / reopening of enterprises / plants / factories	6
Curbing of inflation / controlling prices	5
There is everything in the stores / no shortage of goods	5
Safety issues	5
Anti-COVID measures / free vaccination	4
Improvements in healthcare / construction of hospitals	4
More stability	4
Improvements / availability of education	3
Housing problems are being solved / new houses are being constructed / resettling of dilapidated housing	3
Beautification	3
Improvements in defense industry/ strengthening army	2
More jobs / lower unemployment	2
Introduction of digital services / simplification of document submission	2
Right tax policy	2
Fighting sanctions successfully	2
Right / proportionate distribution of budget money	2
Development / support for small and medium enterprises	2
They have paid attention to people	2
Support / development of agriculture	2
Other	12
Don’t know	22

Why do you think that the Russian government has been performing badly over the recent three years? Give several reasons (open-ended question, no more than 5 answers, % of those who say that the government has been performing badly; answers that gained at least 2%)
	Those who say that the government has been performing poorly
Price increase	36
Fall in living standards	20
Low level of healthcare / fee-based healthcare services	14
Safety issues	14
No salary rise / low salaries	10
The authorities do not keep their promises / poor performance of the authorities locally / bad domestic policy / problems of people are not being solved	9
Low pensions	8
Poor quality of education	7
Stagnation / economic crisis	7
Poor population	7
No social support for citizens	6
High level of unemployment	6
Taxation	5
Failure to implement import substitution / no industrial development	5
Corruption	5
Violation of right sf freedoms / censorship	4
Bad roads / no improvements in road infrastructure	4
Pension reform	3
Bad laws	3
Unsatisfactory job of law enforcement bodies/ political prisoners	2
No development of small cities / villages / rural area	2
No agricultural development	2
Bad landscaping and public amenities	2
Sanctions	2
No order / no control	2
Unsatisfactory work of housing and public utilities services	2
No positive changes	8
Other	24
Don’t know	9

To what extent does the work of the Russian government meet your expectations? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Government is performing better than I expected	16
Same as I expected	51
Worse than I expected	25
Don’t know	8

In your opinion, how has Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin performed over the recent three years – well or badly? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Definitely well + likely well	70
Likely badly + definitely badly	16
I know nothing about his performance	7
Don’t know	7

What measures taken by the Russian government over the recent three years have you remembered the most? Several answers are possible (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents; answers that gained at least 2%)
	Total respondents
Social support for citizens / introduction of benefits and bonuses / minimal monthly wage increase	10
Social benefits to families with children / maternity capital	10
Safety issues	7
Pension indexation	5
Anti-COVID measures	5
Solving housing problems / house construction / mortgage loan / renovation	4
Pension reform / higher retirement age	4
Mobilization	3
Construction / road repairs	3
Development of industry / import substitution	3
Free meals to pupils	2
Improvements in healthcare / development / availability	2
Support for business	2
Other	28
Do not remember / don’t know	53

As to the measures taken by the Russian government over the recent three years, what feelings do they evoke in you? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Hope	37
Anxiety	24
Stability	23
Confidence	21
Pride	19
Disappointment	13
Fear	10
Indifference	9
Don’t know	3

In your opinion, over the next three years will the Russian government perform better, worse or just the same as now? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Better	44
Same	42
Worse	6
Don’t know	8

How effective do you consider the social support measures taken by the Russian government to combat the coronavirus pandemic? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Very effective + likely effective	68
Likely ineffective + not at all effective	27
I know nothing about these measures	1
Don’t know	4

How effective do you consider the social support measures taken by the Russian government to cope with the western sanctions? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Very effective + likely effective	65
Likely ineffective + not at all effective	23
I know nothing about these measures	4
Don’t know	8

Speaking about the Russian government decisions taken over the recent three years, in what areas have you noticed them? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents; answers that gained at least 2%)
	Total respondents
Roads, transport infrastructure	53
Social protection	40
House construction	38
Digital technology	37
Medicine, healthcare	35
Agriculture	34
Security	32
Industry	29
Economy	28
Education	27
Culture	26
Science	25
Employment	23
Ecology	17
One of the above	6
Other	3
Don’t know	5

What is your attitude towards the decisions by the Russian government in the following areas? (closed-ended question, one answer in each line, % of total respondents)
	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Don’t know
Roads, transport infrastructure	61	18	18	3
Social protection	54	27	16	3
Digital technology	54	24	12	10
Security	53	27	15	5
Agriculture	52	26	16	6
House construction	51	28	15	6
Science	47	29	14	10
Culture	46	30	17	7
Industry	45	29	19	7

Now I’m going to read a few statements. Please tell me which statements do you agree with, and which do you disagree with? Under the government headed by M. Mishustin … (closed-ended question, one answer in each line, % of total respondents)
	Likely agree	Likely disagree	Don’t know
It’s become easier to get access to state services	82	10	8
More social support measures for families with children	79	12	9
More domestically produced products and goods in shops	72	22	6
Easier to get access to the authorities through social media	70	17	13
Domestic travel has become more attractive	69	22	9
Young people have more opportunities for self-fulfillment and self-actualization	61	28	11
They managed to prevent unemployment rise	50	35	15
The authorities solve people’s problems in a faster manner	47	38	15
It’s become easier to do entrepreneurial activities	44	28	28

Is the information about the Russian government sufficient, or not? If not, what would you like to know more? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents; answers that gained at least 2%)
	Total respondents
Social support measures	27
Yearly performance results	23
Progress in the implementation of national projects	22
Results achieved by particular ministries, agencies	20
Information about the members of the Russian government cabinet	15
Key results of the government meetings	15
Information is sufficient	43

*In your opinion, what areas should the Russian government focus on in the near future? You can choose up to three areas or propose your own.* (closed-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents
Medicine, healthcare	58
Education	41
Agriculture	23
Industry	19
Roads, transport infrastructure	19
Social protection	19
Economy	17
Security	14
Science	13
Employment	11
Digital technology	11
Ecology	11
House construction	8
Culture	6
Military modernization	1
Other	1
Don’t know	2

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