April 27, 2021. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey describing what Russians think about technological leadership and its importance for a state.
Most of Russians (82%) consider it essential for a nation to be a technological leader. The percentage of those who share this stance is higher among men (56% vs 35% women) and young people aged 18-25 (88%).
They are opposed by 9% of respondents.
Opinions split almost equally over whether Russia can be considered a leading technological country: 55% somewhat agree and 41% somewhat disagree with this opinion. The share of those who disagree is higher among those respondents who have incomplete higher and higher education (51%).
In terms of technological development, Russia is a leader in defense (65%), space industry (42%) and nuclear power (41%). Medicine (25%) and biotechnology/genetic engineering round out the top five spheres (13%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 10th, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older | |
Very important | 44 | 56 | 35 | 37 | 38 | 41 | 52 | 47 |
Likely important | 38 | 29 | 46 | 51 | 45 | 45 | 33 | 30 |
Likely unimportant | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Not at all important | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Don’t know | 9 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
Total respondents | Incomplete secondary education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (at least three years in a higher education institution), higher education | |
Definitely yes | 18 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 11 |
Rather yes | 37 | 41 | 36 | 40 | 37 |
Rather not | 25 | 10 | 21 | 20 | 31 |
Definitely not | 16 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 20 |
Don’t know | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Total respondents | |
Defense | 65 |
Space industry | 42 |
Nuclear-power engineering | 41 |
Medicine | 25 |
Genetic engineering, biotechnologies | 13 |
Machine building | 11 |
IT technologies | 11 |
Communications | 9 |
Other | 7 |
Don’t know | 9 |