Despite economic difficulties and the conflict with Western countries, the number of Russians willing to relocate has not increased.
MOSCOW, June 13, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey concerning the number of Russians who would like to move abroad, as well as what exactly they do to make it happen.
“Importantly, despite certain economic troubles, the emigration flow from Russia has not increased. As the survey suggests, the emigration cases widely discussed in mass media and social networks are not the rule but rather an exception. It is also essential to remember that the migration policies of the countries where Russians strive to move to is continuously toughening that limits the opportunities for those who want to leave”, as it was commented by Valery Fedorov, VCIOM`s General Director.
The number of Russians who want to move permanently abroad has stayed the same over the recent years – 11-13%. Most of those who think so are respondents aged 18-24 (26%) and supporters of non-parliament parties (39%). However, an overwhelming majority of Russians (85%) would not leave Russia ever; the older the respondents are, the more attached they are to their home country (96% of those aged over 60; 72% of those aged 18 - 24).
The main reason behind emigration moods is still people`s desire to improve their living standards (to get higher salaries, bonuses, etc.). Forty percent of respondents who want to leave the country think so but this share has decreased over a year (from 47% in 2014). Meanwhile, there was an increase in the number of those who expect that the home country will protect them and give them stability (from 12% in 2014 to 7% in 2015) and in the number of those who think that their country will provide them with challenging business and career opportunities (from 14% to 6%, respectively).
Every tenth (9%) is ready to move to a country with better climate and environmental situation. Some respondents disfavor the policy conducted by the government (6%) and dislike living in Russia (4%). Others are interested to see the world (5%) and to be acquainted with different cultures (3%, etc.
At the same time, most of those who would like to move are not ready to do it in the near future or did not think through properly. Only 12% of Russians could change their country of residence in a year or two. About half of respondents make certain moves to make their plans happen. Some of them save up money (17%) and learn foreign languages (16%). Others learn about the country of destination (14%; from 23% in 2014), get advice from friends living abroad (12%). Eight percent search for a job, and 5% look for any information related to resettlement programs, etc.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted July 4-5, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
Would you like to move permanently abroad, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| 1991 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Rather yes | 16 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 |
Rather not | 70 | 82 | 88 | 85 | 88 | 85 |
Don`t know | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
If you would like to mover permanently abroad, what is the reason why? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who would like to move permanently abroad) | |||||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Higher living standards/salaries/pensions/bonuses | 41 | 39 | 51 | 47 | 40 |
Better climate, environmental conditions | 3 | 1 | <1 | 12 | 9 |
Social protection/stability | 14 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 7 |
More opportunities for career /business | 16 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 6 |
I do not like the current government, policy conducted by the government | - | - | - | - | 6 |
It is interesting / I go there to have a rest; I have always dreamt about it / I want to see the world | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
I definitely oppose living in Russia/ I like other country | 8 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Higher cultural level// different mentality | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Respect for human rights and law | - | - | - | - | 3 |
Relatives leave abroad | 4 | 4 | <1 | 4 | 2 |
High-quality medical services | - | - | - | - | 2 |
Too many social problems in Russia (alcohol and drug addiction/ crime/ low level of control over the implementation of laws | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
Opportunity to get high quality education | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Russia does not combat corruption | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
To marry | - | - | 2 | <1 | <1 |
Other | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Don`t know | 11 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 21 |
Have you began to think when exactly you could move? If yes, when? (closed-ended question, one answer, % those who would like to move permanently abroad) | ||||
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Within a year or two | 11 | 5 | 13 | 12 |
Within three to five next years | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Within six to nine next years | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
In ten years or more | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
No, I have not thought through | 39 | 50 | 43 | 49 |
I thought of it but I do not know when it is possible due to several reasons | 17 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Do you make any moves to move abroad now or later? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % those who would like to move permanently abroad) | |||||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
I save up money to move | 9 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 |
I learn foreign language | 16 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
I collect information about the country where I want to move to | 20 | 21 | 26 | 23 | 14 |
I get advice from friends who moved abroad | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
I search for a job abroad | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
I search for any information about resettlement program | 8 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 5 |
I look for an opportunity to marry a foreigner) | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
I go through additional training, courses that might help me find a job abroad | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
I search for (I was hired) an international company with an opportunity to move abroad | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
I search for a foreign education program | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
I do nothing special | 20 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 |
Don`t know | 30 | 29 | 23 | 27 | 38 |
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!