A self-portrait of young Russian youth and the way older generations view the youth are quite similar. The main difference is that young people have a higher opinion of their activities than older generations.

MOSCOW, August 12, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to Youth Day.

What is the modern Russian youth like? First of all, young people tend to be sociable (72%), not reserved (19%). Those who share this viewpoint are mainly young people themselves (77% among the 18-35-year-olds).

Russians tend to consider that young people are friendly (51%), rather than aggressive (34%); over the recent year this stance has become more common (43% vs. 41% in 2019). Young Russians are open and friendly (52%, + 5 p.p.) rather than lofty (35%). They often show compassion rather than indifference (47% vs. 42%); this opinion is often shared by young Russians themselves (50%).

The number of those who view youth as cynical people has decreased (44%, −7p.p.); Russians consider young people to be more sincere (41%, +6 p.p.), although young people view themselves as cynical (48%). Young Russians are active (48%; 56% of young people themselves) and not passive (39%; mainly persons aged 35 think so - 42%). They are ready to help others (49%) and do not think only of themselves (39%). Young people are often viewed as honest rather than hypocritical (46% vs. 38%); this stance has been more common over a year (+7 p.p.). Young people are brave, according to 49% of Russians (+5 p.p.); just 27% consider them coward.There is no big difference in assessments between younger and older generations.

Russians are divided in their opinions as to whether modern young people are cultured or uncultured (45% vs. 42%), although young people themselves are inclined to share the former stance (49%). What is for sure is that young people tend to be polite (53%; 57% of the 18-35-year-olds) rather than harsh (35%). More than half of Russians believe that young people are keen on sports (65%), take care of their health (48%) and have a neat appearance  (71%; mainly young people — 76%).

Russians also have ambiguous opinions on whether young people are hard working or lazy (43% vs. 45%), regardless of respondent’s age. However, more than half of Russians consider that young people are oriented towards material values (77%) rather than spiritual values (14%), and profit-seeking rather than self-denying (44% vs. 36%). Only 34% consider young people thrifty; every second respondent considers them spendthrift (51%); they are predominantly young people themselves (56%).

Almost half of Russians think that young adults tend to adopt other people’s beliefs (45%) or behavior (45%); however almost the same number of respondents believe that young people have a self-sufficient way of thinking (43%) and actions (44%).

Russians do not have a common perception of young people as patriots or as people who are indifferent to their country (43% vs. 45%). The majority considers that young adults have no interest in politics (60%), however they tend to show respect for the rule of law (45%); those who think so are mainly young people themselves — 50%. Forty percent of Russians think young people respect common rules, but 44% say they break the rules (48% of young Russians).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 9, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number 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.

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