MOSCOW, 31 March 2025. Russian Public Opinion research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of an online survey among Russians about the use of technologies.

Interest and usage

Russians show high interest in the development of technologies and devices – 87% (36% are definitely interested; 51% likely to be interested). Those who are confident are men (44%), Digital generation and Younger millennials (43–45%), as well as respondents with low income (44%). Almost two-thirds of respondents (62%) start to use new technologies when they feel they need them, not when the technology appears in the market.

• Every fifth respondent using the Internet (21%) can be referred to as actively engaged audience (those who are interested in digital technologies and start to use new products right after they appear in the market or within several months).
• Two-thirds of Internet users (64%) can be referred to as passively engaged audience (those who are interested in digital technologies and start to use them a year later or when the need arises).
• Every tenth respondent (11%) can be referred to as passive and not-engaged audience (those who are not interested and start to use technology a year later or when the need arises).

What are we using today?

An average Internet user utilizes 9 digital technologies/devices in everyday life (out of 23 being tested). Digital generation and Younger millennials utilize up to 11; metropolitan residents and respondents with high income point out 10. Social communication and finance are two areas where technologies are used most often. Top 5 involves social media and messengers, mobile banking, mobile and home Internet, e-government services. Electric cars, cryptocurrency wallet, car sharing, telemedicine and game consoles are the least common.

What do we want to use next?

There is no clear demand for training related to the use of new technologies and devices. One-third of respondents say that there is no technology that people do not know how to use but want to learn how to use. Slightly less than half of respondents (42%) are undecided. The main barriers to using technologies are high cost, lack of knowledge and skills, and concerns related to anonymity and data safety.

How much are we engaged with technologies?

In terms of technology adoption several groups can be singled out *:

1. Tech activists make up 9%. They are often men aged 18-55 who start to use technologies right after they are launched or within several months after the launch. They actively use technologies almost in any area (on average 12 technologies/devices). They widely use social media, banking, the Internet, navigation systems, e-government services. Their routine tools are QR codes, cloud storage systems, voice assistants, VPN services, biometry, subscription streaming platforms, neural networks, smart home appliances.
2. Moderate users make up 29%. They are largely young respondents aged 18–35 living in million-plus cities; they start using technologies when they feel the need (on average 10 technologies/devices). They widely use the Internet, mobile banking and social media, VPN services, navigation systems, cloud storage, e-government services, QR codes, as well as neural networks and subscription streaming platforms. High costs prevent them from engaging more with digital tools.
3. Passive users make up 49%. They are largely women aged 35 and older who start using technologies when the need arises (on average 9 technologies/devices). They widely use the Internet, mobile banking, social media and messengers, e-government services. They actively use navigation systems, QR codes as well as cloud storage and streaming platforms. Lack of knowledge and skills prevent them from engaging more actively.
4. Tech skeptics account for 13%. They are often respondents aged over 55 who have poor income; they start to use technologies when they become necessary, less likely within several months after the launch (on average 5 technologies/devices are used). They primarily use home internet, social media and messengers as well as mobile banking and mobile internet. They often show interest in using technologies in the future.

* Based on factor analysis a hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out to reveal 4 clusters.

All-Russian VCIOM-Online online survey was conducted March 21 through 23, 2025. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: formalized questionnaire, probability-based online panel. Panel participants are recruited through “Sputnik” daily CATI telephone survey where a sample phone is selected by RDD from a complete list of telephone numbers in use in Russia. 

The data are weighted for social-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.1%. 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.

* Small group size; data provided for reference only.

Аuthor: Kseniya Tarakanovskaya