Russians’ Tolerance for Foreigners at All-Time High

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – August 24, 2017)

Negativity towards foreigners in Russia has reached an all-time low, according to the results of a new poll produced Levada Center.

Russians who said they’d like to restrict one or more nationalities from the country fell to its lowest level ever at 54 percent, down from 70 percent in 2016, and an all-time high of 81 percent in 2013.

Some 58 of respondents percent said they “don’t feel any emotion” to others who practise another religion. Fifty-seven percent said they felt the same toward those of other nationalities and 54 percent said they were indifferent about migrants from other countries.

Russians with “very negative” attitudes towards people who practise other religions, of different nationalities, and migrants were were 3, 2, and 6 percent respectively.

Still, more than half of Russians, 58 percent, believe the government should limit the influx of migrant workers. Only 6 percent felt that there should be no restriction and 30 percent said they were indifferent.

The poll revealed, however, that attitudes toward those with a “non-traditional sexual orientation” remain negative. While 32 percent said they were indifferent, 35 percent said they felt very negatively towards on the question. Only 5 percent expressed positive feelings.

The survey was conducted between July 14 and 17 among 1,601 residents over the age of 18 living in 137 towns and cities in 48 regions.

[featured image is file photo]