MOSCOW, August 21, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents information concerning how Russians evaluate their life and personal prospects, as well as economic position and political environment in the country and the general development vector of the country in July 2007 as compared to the situation in July 2006.

The respondents' estimations of their life at present and in the future remained approximately the same in July of this year as they were a year ago; positive forecasts were spoken out noticeably more often than last year. The perception of economic position and political environment has significantly improved during this year. Additionally, if the political environment in the country was evaluated more positively than economic position a year ago, the economic sphere seems to be safer this year. Russians have also begun to evaluate the general development  vector of the country somewhat more optimistically.

The level of contentment with own life remains mostly the same in July this year as it was a year ago. The relative majority, 43%, provide "average" estimations: their life suits them partially, and it partially does not. 22% of respondents identify that life suits them for the most part. Just as many respondents mention that life does not more likely suit them. Equal shares of respondents provide "extreme" evaluations: life "suits me quite well" or life "does not suit me at all" (6% per each option). The distribution of answers was practically the same a year ago.

Expectations of how the lives of respondents will most likely evolve in a year are a little better today than they were in July 2006. The share of respondents, who do not expect any substantial changes in their lives, equals 44% (it used to be 42%). The share of those assuming that they will live better, totals 27% (just as it did a year ago). The share of pessimists, who expect changes for the worse in their lives, has reduced from 16% to 13% within this year. 15% of respondents find it difficult to provide a forecast of their own future.

Evaluations of economic position of the country has noticeably improved during the year. The sum of positive (good and average) estimations amounted to 66% in July 2006 and grew to total 71% in July this year. Furthermore, the share of negative responses has reduced from 30% to 23%.

Evaluations of political environment in our country have improved as well. The share of negative responses has reduced from 21% to 16%, the share of average estimations has remained the same and equals 70%.

The estimations of the general trend in development of the country prove to be generally positive. Negative responses were spoken out more often than positive: +24%, -29%. Positive responses (27%) have become more numerous than negative ones (24%) this year.

The All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on July 29-30, 2006 and 28-29 July, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.