Most of Russians believe that the construction of the Southern Corridor meets the interests of the public and will be beneficial for the regions through which the pipelines will go through.
MOSCOW, December 9, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the attitudes of Russians towards the implementation of major infrastructure projects, the level of public awareness of these projects, as well as public assessment of the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline.
Most of Russians (81%) agree that large infrastructure projects will facilitate the development of the country`s economy, especially in the context of sanctions of the western countries. Those who share this stance are respondents approving of the work of the president V. Putin (83%) rather than those who criticize the work of the government (67%).
Among the largest infrastructure projects the Southern Corridor is the one that most of Russians know about (42%). Those who are most informed about the project are residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (64%), Russians with high level of education (53%) and high income (52%). Twenty nine percent of Russians know little about the Nord Stream project; 23% percent of Russians are aware of the Sila Sibiri project; Yamal Megaproject is known to 22% of Russians.
Most of respondents (86%) favor the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline. The project is supported by young respondents (82%), residents of the million cities (84%), those who have low income (86%) as well as elderly respondents (88%), rural area residents (89%), and respondents with high income (86%).
Three-quarter of respondents are confident that the Southern Corridor meets the interests of the society (38%) or at least the majority of society (34%). Only 10% believe that the project will be beneficial for a small group of people (25% of them disapprove of the work of the president).
According to respondents, the construction of the Southern Corridor will be profitable for the regions through which the pipeline will go. First, it will create new jobs (68%). Every second (49%) believes that this project will facilitate the development of the industrial sector. The project will improve the living conditions (43%). Besides that, respondents expect that the regional budgets will get additional income (40%), and socioeconomic development will intensify (36%).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on November 15-16, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3,5%.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that large infrastructure projects can stimulate Russia`s economy and overcome stagnation, especially in the context of sanctions against Russia? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||
| Total respondents | Those who approve of the work of the president | Those who disapprove of the work of the president |
Fully agree | 39 | 41 | 30 |
Rather agree | 42 | 42 | 37 |
Rather disagree | 5 | 4 | 13 |
Fully disagree | 2 | 2 | 9 |
Don`t know | 12 | 11 | 12 |
What large infrastructure projects launched/accomplished over the recent eight years have you heard about? (close-ended question, any number of answers) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Southern Corridor | 42 | 27 | 39 | 47 | 45 | 45 |
Nord Stream | 29 | 21 | 24 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Sila Sibiri | 23 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
Yamal Megaproject | 22 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 22 |
Blue Stream | 21 | 13 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 21 |
Sakhalin-2 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 |
None of them | 38 | 47 | 44 | 36 | 35 | 36 |
Other | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | 1 |
Don`t know | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Do you support the implementation of the Southern Corridor project? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Definitely yes | 47 | 55 | 39 | 52 | 43 | 45 | 50 |
Rather yes | 39 | 31 | 45 | 33 | 37 | 44 | 39 |
Rather no | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
Definitely no | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Don`t know | 8 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 8 |
In your opinion, who will benefit from the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Society | 38 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 42 |
Majority of society | 34 | 32 | 36 | 37 | 35 | 28 |
Minority of society | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Small group of people | 10 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Don`t know | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
In your opinion, what will the Southern Corridor project give to Russian regions through which it will go? (close-ended question, any number of answers) | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education |
New jobs | 68 | 59 | 72 | 65 | 70 |
Development of industry | 49 | 30 | 48 | 49 | 53 |
Better living conditions | 43 | 35 | 45 | 42 | 44 |
Additional tax returns to regions` budget | 40 | 26 | 40 | 38 | 44 |
Strengthening of the energy potential of regions | 38 | 30 | 38 | 36 | 43 |
Facilitating economic and social development | 36 | 31 | 35 | 36 | 40 |
Development of public utilities sector | 35 | 30 | 35 | 34 | 37 |
Development of agriculture | 30 | 33 | 29 | 28 | 34 |
Regions will not benefit from the project | 5 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Other | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Don`t know | 5 | <1 | 5 | 6 | 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