Fewer Russians Talk Politics Than 21 Years Ago – Survey

(RIA Novosti – MOSCOW, July 30, 2013) The number of Russians discussing politics when they meet with friends has dropped nearly by half over the past 21 years, an opinion survey by the Levada Center pollster has shown.

According to the survey published Monday, 16 percent of Russian nationals talk about politics at such meetings. The figure was 28 percent in March 1992.

Most respondents said they usually speak of prices and lines (37 percent), a drop from 42 percent 21 years ago.

More people than before said they discuss illnesses and sports. The share of those who said so last month was 13 percent in each category, whereas the 1992 figures were 8 and 7 percent respectively.

The survey conducted on June 6-10, 2013 among 1,601 urban and rural residents aged 18 and above in 130 cities, towns and villages across 45 Russian regions. The statistical margin of error did not exceed 3.4 percent.

[featured image is file photo of random crowd in Russia]