What are Russians afraid of in 2019?

Russians’ main fears remain social injustice, falling incomes and the possibility of being left without free medical aid, while international conflicts, job loss and rising crime are the least worry. These findings are the results of a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM).

Fear of a surge in or the possible growth of social injustice between people (according to 68% of all respondents) is on top: The older generation tend to experience anxiety over this issue, with those aged 35-44 (at 69%); 45-59 (at 72%); and those over 60 (71%) are more often concerned about it, RBC reported.

A possible falling income worries 63% of respondents, with 71% of them aged 45-79.

The rejection or the possibility of refusals in getting free medical cared is third-biggest - 58% of respondents. Another 58% of respondents are afraid of increased food prices.

An “index of fears” also includes "domestic unrest caused by protests against the authorities" (39%), with 56% of them aged 18-24.

Russian citizens are least worried about the escalation of Russia’s conflicts with other countries (20%), loosing their job (35%) and rampant crime (36%).

"The dynamics of changes in Russians’ anxious mood is rather positive: after fears had peaked in the warm months — May, June, July and August — depending on a potential risk, there is a steady decrease in concerns on almost all suggested problems observed," the poll says.

The poll was conducted on October 31 among 1,800 people in 130 Russian towns and cities. 

Director of the development and external communications department of the Academy of Labor and Social Relations Vera Zakharova, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the results of the survey showed an unexpected picture indeed. "Usually it's people of retirement age who are more afraid of all kinds of changes, including riots. But this sociological study showed that now young people are really worried about the future," she said.

“There is an understanding that even if someone joins the protests due to his lack of experience or trying to earn some money, they will be held administratively liable, and if they resist, it may end with the application of the criminal law provisions,” Vera Zakharova added.

“Now the youth feels in demand and protected, we see that our president Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin pays a lot of attention to youth. Accordingly, protest movements, more aimed at overthrowing the democratic system being built by the president, can simply break the career of many representatives of the young generation," the director of the development and external communications department of the Academy of Labor and Social Relations concluded.