More and more Russians think it is important for young people to participate in the political life of their country.
MOSCOW, June 27, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey describing the attitudes of Russians towards youth political participation.
Public demand for youth political participation has been rising over the recent fourteen years and has been especially high over the recent two years (90% in 2017 and in 90% in 2019). This demand is actualized among respondents aged 45—59 (94%) and persons aged 60 and over 60 (94%).
Sixty-seven percent of respondents show interest in the activities of the youth organizations working in Russia. The core group of respondents who support youth participation in the political life are people aged 60 and over (76%). Moreover, 69% of Russians would like their children and grandchildren to become members of youth organizations.
Most of Russians think it is important for the government to support youth-oriented non-profit organizations (89%). However, certain respondents think that the government should exercise full control over such organizations (42%); others (47%) consider that the state should help promote such organizations but not interfere in their activities. The former stance is popular among people aged 60 and over (52%); the latter is typical of younger respondents aged 18-24 (62%) and 25 - 34 (58%).
Russians are divided in their opinions on the true activities of youth organizations. Thirty-nine percent of respondents and young persons aged 18-24 (59%) say that these organizations really support young people and help them solve their problems and achieve their goals. They are opposed by 37% of those stating that these organizations are purely formal and do not provide any real support. Those who think so are mainly men (43%) and respondents aged 25-34 (44%).
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 19, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based 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 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
In your opinion, should youth be involved in political and public life, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
2019 | 2017 | 2007 | 2005 | |
Definitely yes | 54 | 53 | 42 | 48 |
Rather yes | 36 | 37 | 33 | 34 |
Rather not | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 |
Definitely not | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Don’t know | 2 | 3 | 10 | 4 |
In your opinion, should youth be involved in political and public life or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18 – 24 | Aged 25 – 34 | Aged 35– 44 | Aged 45 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
Definitely yes | 54 | 24 | 46 | 48 | 59 | 65 |
Rather yes | 36 | 53 | 39 | 40 | 35 | 29 |
Rather not | 6 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
Definitely not | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Don’t know | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Speaking in general, are you personally interested or not interested in the activities of non-profit organizations for youth in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18 – 24 | Aged 25 – 34 | Aged 35– 44 | Aged 45 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
Likely interested | 68 | 58 | 54 | 68 | 71 | 76 |
Likely not interested | 28 | 40 | 44 | 27 | 25 | 17 |
Don’t know | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Would you personally like your children/grandchildren to join or to participate in the activities of youth-oriented organizations, movements? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who have children/grandchildren under 30) | |
Yes | 69 |
No | 14 |
They already participate | 2 |
Don’t know | 15 |
In your opinion, what stance should the government take concerning the youth organizations and movements? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18 – 24 | Aged 25 – 34 | Aged 35– 44 | Aged 45 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
These organization should be controlled by the government | 42 | 22 | 28 | 45 | 46 | 52 |
Government should help promote such organizations but not interfere in their activities | 47 | 62 | 58 | 45 | 44 | 39 |
Government should not influence the activities of such organizations | 7 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
Don’t know | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
Some people think that Russian youth organizations really support young people and help them solve their problems and archive their goals. Others say that Russian youth organizations are formal and do not provide any support. Which statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18 – 24 | Aged 25 – 34 | Aged 35– 44 | Aged 45 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
Youth organizations in Russia really support young people and help them solve their problems and achieve goals | 39 | 59 | 34 | 40 | 38 | 36 |
Youth organizations in Russia are formal and do not provide any real support | 37 | 31 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 34 |
Don’t know | 24 | 10 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 30 |
Some people think that Russian youth organizations really support young people and help them solve their problems and archive their goals. Others say that Russian youth organizations are formal and do not provide any support. Which statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
Youth organizations in Russia really support young people and help them solve their problems and achieve goals | 39 | 33 | 43 |
Youth organizations in Russia are formal and do not provide any real support | 37 | 43 | 33 |
Don’t know | 24 | 24 | 24 |
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!