MOSCOW, 4 April 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study describing the Russian emigration moods.
Most of Russians are likely not to be willing to move permanently abroad (88%). Ten percent say they would willingly move abroad. Compared to the previous year, the percentage of those who would like to leave Russia permanently has decreased by 6 p.p. (16% in 2021).
Eighty-seven percent of Russians do not have anyone in their intermediate circle who would like to leave Russia permanently any time soon; 12% of Russians have friends or relatives who would like to move permanently abroad.
The most common reason why Russians would like to move permanently abroad is to improve their material well-being (29%). A quarter of Russians say they want to live an easier life (24%). Seventeen percent of Russians would like to change their country of residence for the children’s future; 13% hope for better social guarantees. The main reasons for relocation for one in ten Russians are to expand horizons, in particular, to be able to see the world, to get education and to pursue career growth (10% and 9%, respectively).
Other reasons mentioned by Russians are: children’s future (47%), improvement in well-being (29%), desire to have more political freedoms (27%) and higher level of social guarantees (26%). Only 7% of potential migrants consider that living abroad will be easier.
Half of Russians think that those who left Russia permanently will return some time (45%). In a group of those who are likely to be willing to move, this opinion is less common (only 23%). One-third of Russians consider that those who left are likely not to return (33%). Twenty-two percent of Russians refused to make predictions.
Those who admit that the fellow citizens will return say that it can happen if the situation in the country gets better (15%), if they realize they are not needed abroad (12%). Every tenth respondent says that people can return if their living conditions abroad deteriorate (10%), because of their failure to become self-fulfilled in another country (8%), because of nostalgia for the home country and the family (7%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted March 16, 2022. 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.
Would you like to move permanently abroad, or not? | |||||||||||||
| 1991 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Likely yes | 16 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 10 |
Likely no | 70 | 82 | 88 | 85 | 88 | 85 | 86 | 89 | 88 | 81 | 82 | 81 | 88 |
Don’t know | 14 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Would you like to move permanently abroad, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
Likely yes | 10 | 14 | 6 |
Likely no | 88 | 84 | 92 |
Don’t know | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Is there someone among your friends, acquaintances and family members who is going to move permanently abroad any time soon? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
Yes, there are some | 12 | 12 | 11 |
No, there aren’t any | 87 | 85 | 88 |
Don’t know | 1 | 3 | 1 |
In your opinion, why do people living in Russia move permanently abroad? (open-ended question, up to 2 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
To find a job, to improve financial well-being | 29 |
In search of an easier life | 24 |
For children’s future | 17 |
Higher levels of social guarantees | 13 |
To see the world, to live in another country | 10 |
Studies, internship | 10 |
Self-actualization, career | 9 |
In search of a decent job | 7 |
To have more political freedoms | 7 |
In search of a more interesting and vivid life | 5 |
To keep their savings (from “other”) | 3 |
Fears; for security reasons (from “other”) | 2 |
Other | 10 |
Don’t know | 12 |
In your opinion, will those who left Russia permanently return some time to Russia, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
Likely yes | 45 | 45 | 45 |
Likely not | 33 | 36 | 30 |
Don’t know | 22 | 19 | 25 |
In your opinion, under what circumstances will they return to Russia? ( open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who think they will return) | |
| Total respondents |
When the situation in the country improves / when economy improves / stability, confidence in the future | 15 |
When they understand that no one needs them there / when they are persecuted / when the Russians are oppressed /russophobia | 12 |
When living conditions abroad get worse / when they understand that living there is harder | 10 |
When they realize they feel uncomfortable living in another country/ they get disappointed / failure to fulfil potential | 8 |
Missing motherland, family / nostalgia / home is better | 7 |
If social policies improve / higher salaries / higher living standards | 6 |
After the military actions are over / special operations | 5 |
In change of power / change of county’s political course | 5 |
When living conditions in Russia/domestic situation improve | 5 |
More jobs in Russia / opportunity for self-actualization / income | 4 |
When they get expelled from there | 4 |
Any circumstances | 3 |
When they realize that living in Russia is better, more reliable and stable | 2 |
Upon retirement / in old age | 2 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 25 |