USSR and CIS: life "before" and "after"

The majority of residents in 9 out of 11 surveyed former Soviet republics aged over 35 believe that life in the USSR was better before than after the breakup of the country.

Two-thirds of respondents in Russia who lived during Soviet times believe that quality of life in the Soviet Union was better. Nearly two-thirds of respondents in Ukraine agreed with this statement, and only residents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan think differently, according to a survey conducted by Sputnik.

In almost all of the countries, people over 35 believe that life was better in the USSR, compared to the post-breakup period: 71% against 23% in Armenia, 69% against 29% in Azerbaijan, 64% against 28% in Russia, 60% against 32% in Moldova, 61% against 27% in Kazakhstan, 60% against 23% in Ukraine, 60% against 30% in Kyrgyzstan, 53% against 28% in Belarus, and 51% against 46% in Georgia. Only respondents from Tajikistan (39% against 55%) and Uzbekistan (4% against 91%) aged over 35 believe that life improved after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

At the same time, those respondents who do not remember the USSR, those aged 18-24, believe that life has improved since the collapse (63%).

Respondents (under 25) who were born after or shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union believe that life is better now: 48% against 47% in Armenia, 48% against 37% in Kyrgyzstan, 56% against 35% in Kazakhstan, 57% against 34% in Belarus, 79% against 20% in Georgia, 39% against 18% in Ukraine, 63% against 25% in Russia, 68% against 14% in Azerbaijan, 84% against 13% in Tajikistan and 89% against 5% in Uzbekistan.

The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) in Russia, M-Vector in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as Ipsos, Expert Fikri and Qafqaz in other countries of the former Soviet Union from July 4 to August 15, 2016. A total of 12,645 respondents took part in the survey. The survey involved 1000 respondents in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan (in each of the countries), 1045 respondents in Uzbekistan, 2,000 in Ukraine and 1600 in Russia.