Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russian software specialists are the best; their software programs can compete globally. The number of those Russians who want their children to become software engineers keeps rising.

MOSCOW, September 12, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to Programmers’ Day.

Today the word “programmer” is associated with the Internet, computer and software programs in the Russian mind (52%). Russians also consider the IT specialist to be a skilled and educated person (10%); they think the profession is linked to IT technologies (5%), innovations and movement forward (4%).

Every second Russian (54%) believes that Russian software specialists are the best in the world. Respondents also highly assess IT specialists form the U.S.A. (22%), China (14%), Japan (10%) and India (5%). Most of Russians are confident that the software products developed in Russia can compete with the foreign ones (85%); they are only opposed by 8%.

As to the quality of the Russian IT training courses, Russians are divided in their opinions: every fifth respondent considers that computer science training in Russia is better than abroad (19%), whereas every fourth (26%) says the quality is worse. Those who give negative opinions are mainly young Russians aged 18-24 and 25-34 (38% respectively), as well as active Internet users (31%). Thirty percent of Russians think that the quality of the Russian training programs and foreign courses are equal.  

As nine years ago, Russians still think that the profession of software specialist is prestigious (71% gave “4”or “5” in 2010 vs 70% in 2019). However, fewer respondents consider that this profession is high-paying (69% in 2010 vs 55% in 2019). The demand for this profession is still at the same levels (a demand “above average” was reported by 72% in 2010 vs 63% in 2019).

Over the recent nine years the share of those who would like their children and grandchildren to be a software specialist has grown up (47% in 2010; 56% in 2019). They are mainly the 45-59-year-olds (62%) and persons aged 60 and over (59%). Remarkably, younger generations are less likely to support this opinion; those who are opposed are basically respondents aged 18-24 (55%) and 25-34 (40%).

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 10, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

What comes to your mind first when you hear the word “programmer”?

 (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, shown are answers of at least 1% of respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Internet, computer , programs

52

Skilled, educated person

10

IT

5

Future, innovations, movement forward

4

A relative or friend

4

Prestige, demand

3

Computer genius

3

Positive  associations

3

Planning, forecasting

2

Money, high income

2

System manager

2

A lean nerd wearing glasses in front of a computer

2

Negative associations

1

Hacker

1

Cool guy, young man

1

Calculations, accountancy, digits

1

Gamer, computer games

1

Office loafer

1

Office worker

1

Other

4

Don’t know

23

In your opinion, what countries have the best software specialists?

 (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, shown are answers of at least 1% of respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Russia

54

USA

22

China

14

Japan

10

India

5

Germany

3

Great Britain

3

None

2

South Korea

1

Israel

1

Korea

1

Other

2

Don’t know

30

 

In your opinion, can the software products developed by Russian IT specialists compete with the foreign ones? (closed-ended question, one answer , %  of total respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Definitely yes

40

Rather yes

45

Rather no

5

Definitely no

3

Don’t know

7

 

In your opinion, is the quality of computer science training in Russia better/the same/worse than abroad?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

Rather better

19

16

18

19

18

23

Rather worse

26

38

38

30

22

16

The same as abroad

30

27

28

27

31

33

Don’t know

24

19

16

24

29

29

In your opinion, is the quality of computer science training in Russia better/the same/worse than abroad? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Those who use the internet almost every day

Those who use the internet several times a week/a month

Those who use the internet occasionally or never use it

Rather better

19

16

27

25

Rather worse

26

31

20

12

The same as abroad

30

30

25

33

Don’t know

24

23

27

30

Using the criteria below please evaluate the profession of software specialist. Please use a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is the lowest assessment, and 5 is the highest assessment.

(closed-ended question, one answer per line, % of total respondents)

 

Year

1 — the lowest assessment

2

3

4

5 — the highest assessment

Prestige  (social status)

2010

2

4

23

40

31

2019

2

1

27

40

30

Income, remuneration

2010

1

3

26

39

30

2019

2

2

41

33

22

Demand in the labor market  

2010

2

5

21

36

36

2019

2

4

31

29

34

If you have children/grandchildren, would you like them to become a software specialist?

 (closed-ended question, one answer % of total respondents)

 

2010

2019

Rather yes

47

56

Rather no

24

37

Don’t know

29

7

If you have children/grandchildren, would you like them to become a software specialist?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total  respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

Rather yes

56

39

54

53

62

59

Rather no

37

55

40

41

31

31

Don’t know

7

7

6

6

8

9

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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