Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

The attitudes towards elderly persons leave much to be desired in Russia: they are underpaid, their rights are violated, and they lack attention.

MOSCOW, October 6, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to retired persons.

About half of Russians (45%) believe that Russian elderly persons are treated with disrespect (39% of the 18-24-year-olds; 48% of those aged 60 and over); 50% oppose them. Three-quarters of respondents (76%) say that elderly persons lack attention (this share exceeds 60% across all social and demographics groups).

Despite the fact that greater number of Russians say that the rights of the elderly persons are observed (the “likely to be observed” answer option saw a rise from 21% in 2009 to 36% in 2017), negative opinions still prevail (57% in 2017).

The main problems the elderly persons are facing are poverty and low pensions (59%) and health-related problems (45%). The top five also involves loneliness (25%), feeling of uselessness (24%), and disrespect expressed by young people (18%). Interestingly, disrespect is frequently mentioned by young Russians (38% of those aged 18-24), rather than elderly respondents (14% among those aged 60 and over).

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on September 25-26, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

The 2009 results are based on household survey.

 

In your opinion, how do most of Russians treat elderly persons today – with respect or disrespect)?

(closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Definitely with respect

7

7

8

8

8

6

Rather with respect

43

51

43

49

42

38

Rather with disrespect

35

36

38

31

36

32

Definitely with disrespect

10

3

7

8

8

16

Don’t know

5

3

4

4

6

8 

In your opinion, do Russian people pay enough attention to the elderly persons today?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Definitely enough

3

2

1

2

3

4

Rather enough

18

36

20

15

14

17

Rather not enough

47

41

49

54

51

39

Definitely not enough

29

20

24

28

29

36

Don’t know

3

1

6

1

3

4 

In your opinion, are the rights of the elderly persons observed in modern Russia?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

2009

2017

Likely to be observed

21

36

Likely not to be observed

67

57

Don’t know

12

7

In your opinion, are the rights of the elderly persons observed in modern Russia?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Likely to be observed

36

47

38

34

34

33

Likely not to be observed

57

51

54

60

56

59

Don’t know

8

2

8

6

10

8 

In your opinion, what problems do the elderly persons face today? You can give up to 3 answers

(closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Poverty, low pennies

59

64

61

70

56

50

Poor health

45

54

37

50

43

47

Loneliness

25

31

27

22

25

22

Feeling of uselessness, not being able to be useful

24

24

17

39

24

19

Disrespect by younger generations

18

38

22

18

13

14

Feeling useless in their families

14

16

17

14

17

8

Difficulties using modern gadgets and the Internet

13

14

13

13

13

13

Helplessness, dependence on children and grandchildren

11

12

10

14

9

10

Fear of future

5

2

4

6

7

6

Lack of active lifestyles 

4

1

4

4

4

5

Lack of interest in life

3

5

1

3

3

5

Other

7

2

8

4

7

11

Don’t know

3

1

3

1

2

5 

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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