Two-thirds of Russians follow currency rates; more than half of Russians are concerned about the weakening of the ruble.
MOSCOW, November 21, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the following questions: in what currency do Russians have their savings? How do they assess the current situation with ruble? What do they expect to happen within months.
The number of Russians who save up money is growing year by year: whereas five years ago 64% of Russians did not have savings (IV quarter 2009), today this share makes up 49%. An overwhelming majority of them save up in rubles (47%). They are mainly young respondents (52% of those aged from 18 to 24) and middle-aged Russians (51% of those aged from 25 to 44), those who studied in universities (54%), rather than elderly respondents (41% of those aged over 60) or Russians with low level of education (37%). Not too many Russians prefer dollar and euro (3% and 2%, respectively) or other currencies (less than 1%).
More Russians are interested to know about the US dollar exchange rate: whereas the share of Russians who followed the currency exchange rates was 53% in the first quarter of 2014 (16% regularly, 37% from time to time), today this share makes up 65% (27% regularly, 38% sometimes). Those who permanently follow the exchange rates are respondents holding higher education diplomas (37%) and having high financial income (37%).
The weakening of the ruble against dollar and euro is mentioned by 73% of respondents (52% in February 2014; 39% in July 2013). Every tenth (12%) sees no changes in exchange rates; 6% believe that Russian ruble is strengthening against foreign currencies.
More than half of Russians are concerned about the dollar increase (57%: 42% in February this year). Those who are more concerned are residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (76%) and Russians with high income (62%); less concerned are rural area residents (50%) and respondents with low income (41%). Thirty-nine percent of Russians do not care about that.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on November 15-16, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 45 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
In what currency do you save up money? (closed-ended question, not more than three answers) | |||||||
| IV quarter 2008 | IV quarter 2009 | IV v 2010 | IV quarter 2011 | IV quarter 2013 | I quarter 2014 | IV quarter 2014 |
Ruble | 37 | 30 | 24 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 47 |
Dollar | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Euro | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Other currency | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
No savings | 58 | 64 | 66 | 55 | 53 | 54 | 49 |
Don`t know | 2 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Do you follow the dollar to ruble exchange rate? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||||||||
| IV quarter 2008 | IV quarter 2009 | IV quarter 2010 | IV quarter 2011 | IV quarter 2012 | IV quarter 2013 | I quarter 2014 | II quarter 2014 | III quarter 2014 | IV quarter 2014 |
Yes, regularly | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 27 |
Yes, sometimes | 37 | 37 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 37 | 36 | 38 |
No | 43 | 48 | 52 | 55 | 57 | 50 | 46 | 47 | 44 | 34 |
Don`t know | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
In your opinion, what is the position of ruble against foreign currencies (US dollar and euro)? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| July 2013 | February 2014 | November 2014 |
Ruble is getting cheaper; its value is decreasing | 39 | 52 | 73 |
The position of Russian ruble is not changing | 34 | 27 | 12 |
Ruble is getting more expensive; its value is increasing | 8 | 3 | 6 |
Don`t know | 19 | 18 | 9 |
Are you concerned about the current ruble exchange rate? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| February 2002 | July 2013 | February 2014 | November 2014 |
Rather yes | 62 | 29 | 42 | 57 |
Rather no | 34 | 68 | 53 | 39 |
Don`t know | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
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!