Russians are most worried about inflation, according to a survey by the "Levada" center. The war in Ukraine is in second place, and the restriction of civil rights is last.
The rise in prices is the most serious problem for Russians, according to a survey by the "Levada" center, conducted in late January. For two-thirds of those surveyed, inflation is a source of the greatest concern.
In second place in importance is the war in Ukraine, the resulting conflict with the West and the imposed sanctions. These topics, combined in one complex, concern 35 percent of those surveyed. In third place in importance are housing problems: the poor condition and inaccessibility of housing, expensive mortgages. They were highlighted by 30 percent of the survey participants. Corruption and bribery were also highlighted - by 29 percent, as well as the influx of migrants - by 26 percent, the increase in the retirement age and pension reform - again by 26. In last place among the issues worrying Russians is the restriction of civil rights and democratic freedoms - only three percent are worried about this.
Concern about economic problems in Russia is growing
It is noted that the share of Russians who identified inflation as the problem that worries them the most increased by 11 percent from August to January. Official statistics show that from 2022 to 2024, prices in the country increased by 31.7 percent. Last year, inflation was 9.5 percent, and food prices rose by 11 percent.
In another poll published by the Levada Center on January 29, 56 percent of respondents noted that due to a lack of money in the past six months they had had to give up large purchases for the home, 35 percent had given up on necessary clothes and shoes, and 24 percent had given up on necessary food products.
"The general level of concern about problems in the economic sphere has been growing in all surveys since March 2024," sociologists point out. According to the Levada Center, the problem of growing poverty worries every fifth Russian, and another five percent say they are worried about the delayed receipt of salaries, pensions and benefits.
Experts quoted by the publication "The Moscow Times" identify the main cause of inflation in Russia as "economic imbalances caused by the war - sharply increased military spending, the transfer of resources from civilian sectors to the military-industrial complex, sanctions, etc.".