Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

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!

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