Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

The initiative to ban the circulation and storage of U.S. dollars in Russia is supported by 28% and opposed by 39%.

MOSCOW, November 20, 2013. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the attitudes of Russians towards the idea to ban the circulation of U.S. dollars in Russia.

The initiative to ban the storage and circulation of dollars in Russia that was first announced in spring was ambiguously assessed by Russians: according to the May survey it was supported by 28% and opposed by 39%; other 32% were hard to express their point of view.

Those who support the idea are respondents with elementary level of education (39%) and residents of big cities (36%). They are opposed by Russians with high level of education (52%), metropolitan residents, residents of million cities (48-50%), and respondents with high level of income (51%).

Those who negatively perceive the initiative are those persons who store their savings in U.S. dollars (75%) and in euros.

The position of those who supported the idea is based on their opinion that Russia should have its own currency – ruble (32%) and this currency should be strengthened (26%).  Sixteen percent think that Russia should not depend on dollar. Other people say that money should work in the country (5%), that the national currency is better (4%) et cet.

Those who negatively perceive the idea state that each person has the right to choose the currency for saving money (31%).  Many people also cite the U.S. dollar is widely used all around the world (18%) and say that the idea is senseless (11%). Respondents also believe that it is safer to keep money in foreign currency (8%) and are afraid that it may have an impact on Russian economy (6%) et cet.

The VCIOM opinion polls were conducted on May 18-19, 2013. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

There has recently been an initiative to ban the storage and circulation of U.S. dollars on the Russian territory. What is your attitude toward the idea? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Those who have savings in…

rubles

dollars

 euro

other currency

no savings

Definitely support; rather support

28

31

15

13

22

24

Definitely not support; rather not support

39

41

75

66

44

38

Hard to tell

32

28

10

22

33

38


There has recently been an initiative to ban the storage and circulation of U.S. dollars on the Russian territory. What is your attitude toward the idea? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Financial self-assessment

Good, very good

Average

Bad , very bad

Definitely support; rather support

28

24

28

31

Definitely not support; rather not support

39

49

39

34

Hard to tell

32

26

33

35


There has recently been an initiative to ban the storage and circulation of U.S. dollars on the Russian territory. What is your attitude toward the idea? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Low income

Income below average

Average income

Income above average

High income

Definitely support; rather support

28

32

29

31

29

25

Definitely not support; rather not support

39

33

30

37

37

51

Hard to tell

32

35

42

32

34

23


Why do you support the idea? Why do you oppose the idea?

 (open-ended question, any number of answers)

% of those who support the ban on U.S. dollars

% of those who oppose the ban on U.S. dollars

Russia should have its own currency

32

Everyone has the right to choose the currency for saving money; there should be different currencies  

31

Russian ruble should be strengthened

26

Everyone uses dollars; it is a global currency

18

We should not be depended on dollar

16

It is stupid/senseless

11

Money should work within the country

5

It is safer to keep money in foreign currency

8

National currency is safer

4

Economy will stop developing

6

I do not care

4

I will use dollars anyway; illegal circulation

4

Other

2

Return to iron curtain

4

Hard to tell

14

I do not care

1

 

 

Other

2

 

 

Hard to tell

19


Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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