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IN BRIEF

Every third Russian does not know about the population census; every fourth would lie to census taker.

MOSCOWOctober 21, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing, whether Russians understand what the census is intended for, and how honest they are when answering the questions of the census taker.

Most of Russians understands what the national population census is intended for; however, the number of such respondents has considerably decreased over the recent eight years (from 84 to 71%). The purpose of conducting the population census is known first for those respondents with high level of education (78%), residents of big and middle-sized cities (75-78%). At the same time, the share of those who know about that by hearsay has dramatically increased (from 14 to 26%).  As a rule, they are Russians with low level of education (35%), and Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (34%).

The majority of Russians think that the national census is intended for getting statistical data about the population and its structure (55%). Thirty-eight percent of respondents think that the data acquired during the census will be used in making policy.  In particular, 15% consider the population census will help identify social and economic situation in the country and increase the effectiveness of social policies and  politics (10%), serve as a basis for economic and social forecasting (8%) and et cet.  Those, who think the population census covers money laundering or is used against population, are in the minority (1% for each).

To reveal whether Russians provide reliable information about themselves, they were asked indirect question how honest they think people are when answering the census questions as people tend to attribute their behavior to other people. In Russians` opinion, people tend to provide reliable information about themselves (61%); it allows us to assume that most of respondents report true information. Most of them are residents of the Urals (74%), big and middle-sized cities (64-66%), non-qualified workers (69%) and specialists with higher education diplomas outside production (73%). One-quarter of respondents, in their turn, think that people   conceal information about themselves (25%). Most of them are Southerners (43%), metropolitan residents (32%), entrepreneurs (39%), civil servants (34%) and the unemployed (36%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted in 16-17 October, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin oferror does not exceed 3.4%.

A national census will be held in October. Have you heard about that, and what is it intended for?

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

2002

2010

Heard and know what it is for

84

71

Heard but do not know what it is for

14

26

I have not heard about that

1

1

Hard to tell

1

2

A national census will be held in October. Have you heard about that?

Do you understand what it is intended for?

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Education

elementary, or lower, incomplete secondary education

secondary  (school, technical college)

secondary special (college)

incomplete higher

(not less than 3 years), higher

Heard and know what it is for

71

61

69

71

78

Heard but do not know what it is for

26

35

29

26

20

I have not heard about that

1

3

1

0

1

Hard to tell

2

2

1

2

2

In your opinion, what is the population census intended for?

 (open-ended question, write down everything pointed by respondent, % of those who understand what the national census is for)

To get the accurate statistical data about the population and its structure

55

To identify social and economic situation in the country

15

To increase the effectiveness of social policies: accrual of social benefits, construction of kindergartens, schools, hospitals

10

For social and economic forecasting

8

Formation of state budget

3

Increase of effectiveness of employment policies

2

Money laundering

1

To use the information against population

1

Hard to tell

12

During the population census Russian citizens will be asked questions about their lives. In your opinion, will people provide true and reliable or false information about themselves?

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Type of settlement

Moscow and St.Petersburg

More than 500thousand

100 - 500 thousand

Less than 100 thousand

Rural area

Rather true

61

55

64

66

59

58

They would rather conceal the information

25

32

24

22

27

24

Hard to tell

14

14

11

12

13

18

 

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