Interfax: Russians want package of state measures to increase population – poll

MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) – The majority of Russians (76%) are concerned about the decrease of the country’s population, shows a poll conducted by the research group TsIRKON.

The poll surveyed 1,600 Russians, including 110 journalists.

The poll, which has been obtained by Interfax-Religion, shows that 56% of the respondents believe the reduction of Russia’s population is very dangerous, but the situation can be improved using special measures. One out of every five respondents (20%) believe it is a catastrophe and the process is irreversible, 14% believe population reduction is temporary and poses no danger, while 3% believe population decrease is a positive factor, including from an economic point of view.

Ninety percent of the respondents believe the state should take special efforts to maintain important moral values and increase the importance of family in the eyes of society.Fifty-eight percent of the respondents believe the most effective solution to the problem is measures stimulating childbirth, 55% believe this solution is the fight against alcohol and substance abuse, 46% believe it is the development of medicine and promotion of a healthy lifestyle, 26% believe it is an increase of life expectancy, 23% believe this solution is the development of fertility treatment methods and reduction of their cost, 14% believe this solution is a ban on abortions, 5% believe it is the creation of barriers on emigration from the country, 4% believe this solution is the return to Russia of Russians who live abroad, 2% believe it is the development of innovative bioreproduction technologies, and 1% believe it is broader use of labor migrants.

Eighty-seven percent of the respondents (and 99% of the journalists surveyed) believe the Russian media are giving very little attention to the issues of family, marriage, and family values.

Thirty percent of the respondents admit the presence of amoral programs and materials in the mass media and believe access to them should be limited, 34% believe they should be banned by public bodies, 19% confirm their existence, but believe journalists have a right to broadcast what is interesting to even a small range of people, and 9% said they have not seen such programs and materials.

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