Most Russians believe that the economic situation in Russian cities is improving despite Western sanctions imposed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is according to data from a "Gallup" survey.
Is the economic optimism of Russians running out?
48 percent of those surveyed talk about improving economic conditions, i.e. this indicator is higher than before the start of the war in Ukraine. At the same time, the optimism of Russians is becoming more restrained - the peak in the results was recorded in 2023: 56 percent.
At the same time, the number of those who talk about worsening the economic situation in the country is growing - they are now 39 percent. Over the past 15 years, this indicator has only been higher during the pandemic - about 50 percent.
It is assumed that the record-low unemployment and the growth in wages caused by the labor shortage as a result of mobilization have some merit in the still prevailing positive attitudes of Russians, the survey notes.
About 40 percent live comfortably on their salaries
It is noteworthy that since the beginning of the war, the share of Russians who believe that their salary is enough for a comfortable life has also increased noticeably. If until 2021 they were 25 percent, in recent years they have been approaching 40 percent.
The previous peak of assurances of this kind was in 2014 - after the annexation of Crimea and the first Western sanctions. The expert from "Gallup" Justin McCarthy told DW that this is a consequence of both the "emotional upsurge" effect in society and the trends observed in the Russian economy since 2022 - specifically the increase in wages.
A third of Russians do not even have money for food
The "Gallup" poll found that 31 percent of Russians do not even have enough money for food. This indicator is lower than in the years of the pandemic. But another trend is striking: it has been falling recently, and in 2014, less than 15 percent of people were in need. Following Russia's intervention in Ukraine and the Russian authorities' confrontation with the West, the number of Russians with very low incomes has begun to grow steadily.
"The contrast between record-low unemployment and ongoing difficulties with purchasing food underscores the uneven nature of Russia's economic resilience," the study's authors state.
"Gallup" estimates that in the years since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia's economy "has proven to be more resilient than expected, but signs of strain are increasingly evident in 2025."
Author: Alex Izmailov