MOSCOW, 30 November 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey describing Russian life priorities.  

What we look up to?..

For eight out of ten Russians it is important to see Russia as a country that has kept its traditional moral, national, and religious values (81%). The older the Russians, the more often they support this idea (92% vs. 54% of the 18-24-year-olds), whereas young respondents tend to say that life goals are likely unimportant (43% vs. 6% of those aged 60+). Women are more likely to point out the importance of sticking to traditional, moral, national and religious values (87% vs. 74%).

…and what we are striving for?

The main life priorities for Russians are health (58%) and building a happy family (56%). These values can be called universal, uniting; they are placed in the first places across any social and demographic groups. Other important goals are reliable friends, hobbies (31%, each), interesting job (26%) and visiting different countries (25%). Respondents also mentioned that it is important to have an opportunity to freely express the opinion, to have lots of free time and to spend it the way you want, and to get a good education.

Life priorities are shaped by age. Young respondents aged 18-24 set more goals; they pursue self-development: career-building (30%), making valuable connections (29%), getting quality education (26%), doing business (22%). They also prioritize hedonism (having lots of free time and spending free time the way you want – 19%). But even for the youngest Russians (aged 18-24) family and child-rearing remain to be a priority in life (74%).

VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide telephone survey was conducted October 3, 2023. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18+ were surveyed. Methodology: telephone interviews, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-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.

Key effectiveness indicators, survey of 13 October, 2023:  cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.7809; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0169; response rate (RR)*** = 0.1022. 

“VCIOM Online” online nationwide survey was conducted March 18-19, 2023. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18+ were surveyed. Methodology: online probability panel survey, stratified random sample. Panel participants were recruited through all-Russia daily CATI surveys via random digit dial (RDD) from a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-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.