Russians highly appreciate the prestige and income of those employed in the defense industry.
MOSCOW, August 23, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted the employment in the defense industry, assessments of occupational earnings and prestige in this industry.
Russians highly appreciate the prestige and earning provided by the military industry. Fifty-four percent of Russians believe that those who are employed in this industry have high social status; this share is 66% among the 18-24-year-olds, 47-52% among those who were previously or are currently employed in this sector (25% oppose this stance). A further 52% consider that those workers have high income; this share is 72% among those aged 18-24 (those who disagree with the idea is 25%).
Adult Russians personally would not consider working in the defense sector; however they would like their children and grandchildren to work in this industry. Particularly, 32% of working age respondents not employed in the MIC would like to work as engineers in military design bureaus; 32% would like to be high skilled service workers. As to their children, 63% approve of the engineering profession, and 55%, high skilled service worker. Defense software engineer is seen as the most attractive occupation in the defense sector (65%).
Work in the military-industrial complex looks appealing due to high earnings (47% of those who would like to work in the defense industry or those who are employed in this sector; first ranking). The defense industry also gives an opportunity to contribute to strengthening the national military capabilities (44%). The third position is held by respondents’ love for weaponry and military vehicles.
The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on August 18-19, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Let us talk about Russian military-industrial complex (MIC). Do you work/did you work in this industry? (closed-ended question, one answer , %) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
I am currently employed in the defense industry | 2 | 3 | 1 |
I used to work in the defense industry but I do not work there anymore | 10 | 13 | 8 |
I have never worked in the defense industry | 87 | 83 | 91 |
Don't know | 1 | 1 | 0 |
In your opinion, what position do those employed in the military industry occupy in the Russian society in general? (closed-ended question, one answer , %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
Low position | 10 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Rather low position | 15 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 15 | 12 |
Rather high position | 30 | 45 | 43 | 32 | 29 | 14 |
High position | 24 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 31 |
Don't know | 21 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 32 |
In your opinion, do those employed in the military industry have generally higher or lower income? (closed-ended question, one answer , %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
Low income, salary | 11 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 15 |
Rather low income, salary | 14 | 17 | 12 | 23 | 13 | 10 |
Rather high income, salary | 35 | 53 | 43 | 40 | 34 | 21 |
High income, salary | 17 | 19 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 17 |
Don't know | 23 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 25 | 37 |
How likely is it that you would like to be employed in the defense industry as…? (closed-ended question, one answer for each line, % of working age respondents not employed in the defense industry) | |||||
| No, I would not | I would rather not | Don’t know | I would rather be | Yes. I would |
Design bureau engineer | 53 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 19 |
Worker, high qualified service worker | 56 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 20 |
Inventor, military designer | 64 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 17 |
Defense software engineer | 69 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 14 |
Defense technical researcher | 71 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
If you have young children or grandchildren, how likely is it that you would like them to work in the Russian defense industry as…? (closed-ended question, one answer for each line, %) | |||||
| Very unlikely | Somewhat unlikely | Don’t know | Somewhat likely | Very likely |
Defense software engineer | 23 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 46 |
Design bureau engineer | 22 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 42 |
Inventor, military designer | 27 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 43 |
Worker, high qualified service worker | 28 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 40 |
Defense technical researcher | 30 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 39 |
In your opinion, what is appealing about working in the defense industry? You can choose multiple answers (closed-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who are currently employed or would like to be employed in the defense industry) | |
| Total respondents |
High salaries | 47 |
Desire to contribute to strengthening the national defense capabilities | 44 |
Love for weapon, military vehicles | 27 |
Opportunity to discover a gift and to use skills | 26 |
High social status, prestige | 22 |
Other | 11 |
Nothing is appealing | 1 |
Don't know | 2 |
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!