2 December 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey among Russians on their plans to have children.
DREAMS ABOUT HAVING CHILDREN |
When asked why people have children, most of Russians give the following reasons: continuance of the human species (33%); they bring happiness and joy (20%); they are our future (12%), they are the meaning of life (9%); they are the country’s future (6%); they are needed to love them (6%).
For most of Russians (68%), having a baby means happiness and joy; for 28%, pride and family’s future; 14% point out anxiety about the child’s future, his/her life and health; for 13% a child is an additional responsibility for the loved one; 8% say that a child is a new resident of the country and the one who will provide for the parents in old age.
Most of Russians (79%) agree that a woman’s life is full if she has children (30% of the 18-24-year-olds); 18% do not think so (67% of the 18-24-year-olds). Over a year the Russian opinions on that have substantially changed; the share of those who agree with this stance has increased by 17 p.p. (62% in 2020); the share of those who disagree has decreased by 17 p.p. (35% in 2020).
Only 6% of Russians would not like to have children if they had ideal conditions for that; 32% would like to have two children (40% in 2017); 32%, three children (28% in 2017); and 19%, four and more (14% in 2017). Only 2% of the 18-24-year-olds would not like to have children; 55% would like to have two children; 18%, three; 14%, four and more. Among those aged 25-34, 41% would like to have three children; 22%, four.
FAMILY AND CHILD BIRTH |
An overwhelming majority of Russians (86%) are likely to agree that spouses should have children; 12% disagree with them (47% of the 18-24-year-olds).
According to Russians, some people consciously refuse to be parents due to the following reasons: financial hardships (26%); because of selfishness (14%); they are not willing to take responsibility (13%); they are stupid (10%); for health reasons (8%).
However, when asked about those spouses who can have children but do not want to, half of Russians (58%) say that there are different situations in life, and each case should be tackled individually; 34% say they should not be condemned (49-51% of young Russians); 6% think such spouses deserve condemnation. Over seven years Russians have shown more understanding towards the spouses who consciously refuse to be parents: in 2015 almost every fifth respondent condemned such persons (18%; −12 p.p.); the share of those who think they do not deserve condemnation has doubled (17%; +17 p.p.).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted September 2, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Can you continue the phrase: people have children because/because of… | |
| Total |
Continuance of the human species / reproduction / to leave something behind | 33 |
Happiness / joy / for my pleasure | 20 |
Future / our future / future generation / continuance of life | 12 |
The meaning of life / it is life / children is everything / to live for them | 9 |
For the country / country’s future / country’s development and prosperity / use for the society | 6 |
For love / to love them | 6 |
To help/to get care from them in old age/ support when you get old | 5 |
You cannot life without children / we just need them | 4 |
Full /normal family | 3 |
To help parents / to provide for the parents / support/support for parents | 3 |
Flowers of life | 3 |
For myself | 3 |
To give education / to raise a good person | 2 |
Demography / population increase | 2 |
Other | 18 |
Don’t know | 13 |
What is having a baby for you? (closed-ended question, up to 2 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total |
Happiness, joy of having a baby | 68 |
Pride, family’s future | 28 |
Anxiety about the future of the child, his/her life and health | 14 |
Extra responsibility for the loved one | 13 |
New resident of the country | 8 |
The one who will provide for me in the future in old age | 8 |
Worries, diapers, sleepless nights | 4 |
Additional financial burden | 2 |
Other | 7 |
Don’t know | 3 |
Are you more likely to agree or disagree with the following statement “a woman’s life is full if she has children / every woman must become a mother”? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Likely to agree | 62 | 79 | 30 | 63 | 78 | 88 | 95 |
Likely to disagree | 35 | 18 | 67 | 33 | 16 | 8 | 4 |
Don’t know | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
How many children would you like to have in ideal conditions, not taking into account your current situation? | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2020 | 2021 | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
One | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Two | 40 | 35 | 32 | 55 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Three | 28 | 31 | 32 | 18 | 41 | 36 | 28 | 31 |
Four and more | 14 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 15 |
No plans to have children / wrong age | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
Don’t know | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
Are you more likely to agree or disagree with the following statement “spouses must have children”? | ||||||
| Total | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Likely to agree | 86 | 52 | 78 | 84 | 92 | 96 |
Likely to disagree | 12 | 47 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
In your opinion, why do some people consciously refuse to have children? | |
| Total |
Financial hardship / poor financial situation / they are afraid of not being able to provide for their children | 26 |
Selfishness / they want to live for themselves / they love themselves / they want freedom | 14 |
They want to take responsibility / afraid of responsibility | 13 |
Stupid, thick-headed / no brains / mentally ill people | 10 |
Health problems / medical grounds / they cannot have children/ God does not give them | 8 |
Not ready morally / fear, cowardice / lack of confidence in yourself | 7 |
No desire / it’s their choice / everyone’s personal right | 6 |
They do not want to have a burden / afraid of difficulties, sleepless nights / they do not want to take care of anyone/ idlers / it is easier to live without children | 6 |
Career is more important / self-actualization | 5 |
Situation in the country / economic situation / poverty / lack of stability and confidence in the future | 5 |
Tough life / life situations | 3 |
This is the way they were brought up / poor education | 3 |
Other | 31 |
Don’t know | 16 |
What is your opinion on the spouses who can have children but do not want to? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| 2014 | 2021 | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
We should not judge them | 17 | 34 | 51 | 49 | 38 | 29 | 22 |
Different situations happen in life; each case is individual | 62 | 58 | 46 | 47 | 56 | 62 | 64 |
They deserve condemnation | 18 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
Don’t know | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |