MOSCOW, 30 December 2021. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study on Russian expectations from 2022.
Three-quarters of Russians (34%) consider that the coming year will be better for Russia than 2021; this opinion is popular among young Russians aged 18-24 (46%). At the same time, 39% of respondents say that 2022 will be neither better nor worse; 21% are confident that the coming year will be worse.
As for positive changes in the coming year in Russia, every fifth Russian (22%) expects the COVID situation to improve; every tenth (11%) expects better living conditions; 9% hope for price decrease and a better control over the inflation level. Russians also expect improvements in economy (8%) and increased pensions (8%); 7% expect positive changes in foreign policy; 5% link possible improvements with the COVID-19 vaccine and lifting of restrictions; 4% await peace on Earth. At the same time, 19% of Russians do not expect any positive changes in 2022.
Inflation is one of the major negative events that may happen in 2022 (21%). Other respondents mentioned new COVID wave or variants (9%), fall in living standards (8%), and military actions and conflicts (7%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on December 25, 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.
In your opinion, will the coming year be better or worse for Russia than 2021? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Better | 34 | 46 | 28 | 36 | 30 | 37 |
Worse | 21 | 10 | 29 | 22 | 24 | 16 |
Neither better, nor worse | 39 | 35 | 38 | 38 | 39 | 39 |
Don’t know | 6 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
What positive changes do you expect for our country in the coming year? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total |
Improvement in the COVID situation / end of pandemic / victory over the virus | 22 |
Increase in living standards / well-being / increase of salaries | 11 |
Decrease of prices / control over price increase / inflation level | 9 |
Economic development / way out of crisis / fall in dollar price / strengthening ruble / lowering of interest rate | 8 |
Pension reform / decrease in retirement age / care for the retired persons / increase of pensions | 8 |
Foreign policy / improvements in foreign relations / mending relations with NATO and Ukraine | 7 |
Vaccine against COVID-19 / vaccination / lifting the restrictions / cancellation of QR codes | 5 |
Peace on Earth / no war | 4 |
Better domestic policies / country’s development / developing military capabilities | 3 |
Improvements in healthcare / free, available health care | 3 |
Decrease unemployment rate / increase in jobs | 3 |
Social policy / support / social benefits | 3 |
Change of power / president’s resignation / | 2 |
Better living conditions and quality of life | 2 |
Improvements in education / free education | 2 |
Better demographics / child benefits / assistant to families with many children | 2 |
Other | 3 |
None | 19 |
Don’t know | 18 |
And what negative changes can happen in Russia next year? In your opinion? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Inflation / price increase / ruble crash | 21 |
Coronavirus / new outbreak/new wave / new variant | 9 |
Fall in living standards / no salary increase | 8 |
Military activities / military conflicts | 7 |
Situation in Ukraine / deterioration of Russia-Ukraine relations / war with Ukraine / Donbass | 7 |
Deterioration of relations with other countries / problems in foreign policy | 4 |
Economic crisis / economic problems | 4 |
Sanctions | 3 |
Restriction due to coronavirus / lockdown | 3 |
Rise in housing utilities bills | 2 |
Unemployment | 2 |
Restrictions of rights and freedoms / censorship / political repression / crackdown | 2 |
Tax system / new taxes, penalties | 2 |
None | 13 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 26 |