Interfax: Russians begin to feel economic crisis – poll

File Photo of Cash, Coins, Line Graph

(Interfax – January 19, 2015) Almost two-thirds of Russian citizens (62 percent) think that the country is living through an economic crisis although it has no effect on their finances as of yet, the Public Opinion Foundation said.

The crisis mostly manifests itself in Moscow (70 percent) and cities with a population of 50,000 to 250,000 (71 percent), said 1,500 respondents polled in 100 populated localities in 43 regions on January 10-11.

Crisis-aware respondents mostly mentioned growing prices and inflation (40 percent), lowering living standards (12 percent), unemployment, redundancy dismissals and economic recession (6 percent) and declining oil prices (2 percent). Ten percent pointed to the weakening ruble and the growing euro and dollar.

Three percent of the respondents mentioned foreign policy problems (the economic siege, disrupted cooperation with other countries and an effect of the sanctions) amongst other crisis symptoms.

Another poll held by the Public Opinion Foundation in 43 regions on December 28 showed that 58 percent declared their invariable financial position in the past six months. Practically a third (32 percent) said the situation had been worsening and 9 percentclaimed an improvement.

Some 39 percent of the respondents hoped for a stable financial position of their families in the upcoming six months. Over a quarter (28 percent) believes their position will worsen and 12 percent hope for an improvement.

 

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