The share of those supporting the Russia`s entry to the WTO is decreasing; the basic reason for that is concerns about negative effects for the Russian economy.
MOSCOW, September 10, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the attitudes of Russians towards Russia`s accession to the WTO: Does it meet its national interests? What effects will it bring about?
Russians have doubts about the profitability of the Russia`s accession to the WTO. Ten years ago more Russians thought that Russia`s accession to the WTO would be favorable for the country (56%). Up to 2009 the share of those who shared this attitude was about 41-44%, however this share decreased sharply in 2008 (31%).
Today 30% of Russians think that Russia will benefit from that. On the contrary, 25% believe that the accession does not meet the interests of the country. A relative majority of respondents (45%) cannot express their attitude towards this question. Those who say that Russia`s accession to the WTO meets the interests of the country are basically Russians who have income above average (33-37%).
The supporters of the Russia`s accession to the WTO say that it will facilitate the development of trade and economic relations (32%, 26% in 2008). Rarer respondents expect an increase of economic capacity of Russia (from 21 to 15%). Respondents also mention such benefits as accessibility of goods and services (9%), development of production and industry (8%), improvement of goods` quality (5%), closer relationship with neighboring countries, attraction of investments, as well as the possibility to go with the times (3%, for each).
Compared to 2008, the attitudes of Russians concerning the negative effects of the Russian accession have considerably changed. Earlier Russians mentioned lack of economic benefits as the chief argument (24%); today they stress the need for the development of national economy (29% versus 19% in 2008). The number of those who believe that Russia is not ready to join the WTO (from 9 to 18%) has increased. At the same time, Russian concerns that Russia would be dependable on foreign countries have decreased (from 18 to 7%).
In general, Russians predict more negative effects from Russian accession to the WTO. Respondents tend to think that this step would lead to the sharp decline in domestic industry (45%), rather than to the increase in production volumes (35%). Russians believe that foreign goods will flood the Russian market and prices for them will be much higher (42%); strengthening the competitiveness and decrease of prices for consumer goods are hardly to happen, according to Russians (36%). Almost every second respondent (48%) says that the Russia`s entry to the WTO will promote importing activities and will decrease the production volume of domestic goods, and as a consequence, it will increase the level of unemployment. Only one-third of Russians believe that the Russia`s accession to the WTO will have positive effects on Russian labor market (30%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on August 18-19, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
In your opinion, does Russia`s accession to the WTO meet or contradict Russian national interests?* (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| 2012 | 2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2002 |
Rather meet Russia`s national interests | 30 | 41 | 31 | 44 | 43 | 56 |
Rather contradicts Russia’s national interests | 25 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 17 |
Hard to tell | 45 | 39 | 49 | 34 | 33 | 28 |
*In 2005-2009 the question was “In your opinion, does the Russia`s accession to the WTO meet or contradict the national interests of Russia in general? (close-ended question, one answer)
If you think that Russian accession to the WTO meets Russia’s national interests, can you tell us why? (open-ended question, up to three answers, % of those who say that the Russia`s accession to the WTO meets national interests of Russia) | ||
| 2012 | 2008 |
It will facilitate the development of trade and economic relations; it will increase the commodity turnover | 32 | 26 |
It gives more possibilities for Russian economic development in general | 15 | 21 |
Goods and services will be more accessible | 9 | 6 |
It will lead to the development of production and industry | 8 | 1 |
It will increase the quality of goods | 5 | 3 |
It will improve the Russia`s image and its significance in the international arena; it will lead to its recognition of Russia all around the world and will increase its influence | 5 | 4 |
It will make Russia closer to its neighbors and western countries | 3 | 12 |
It will attract new investment | 3 | 1 |
It will allow Russia to develop and to go with the times | 3 | 2 |
Other | 1 | 2 |
Hard to tell | 24 | 31 |
If you think that Russian accession to the WTO does not meet Russian national interests, can you tell us why? (open-ended question , up to three answers, % of those who say that Russian accession to the WTO does not meet Russian national interests) | ||
| 2012 | 2008 |
It is important to develop Russian economy, agriculture and production; otherwise it will lead to decline | 29 | 19 |
We are not ready to enter the WTO; we cannot compete with foreign companies | 18 | 9 |
Russia will be flooded with poor quality imported goods | 18 | 5 |
No economic benefits; more costs | 11 | 24 |
Prices will be growing | 8 |
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It will make Russia more dependent on foreign countries | 7 | 18 |
We do not need it | 6 | 4 |
Other | 2 | 2 |
Hard to tell | 12 | 25 |
Which of the statements about Russian accession to the WTO do you most agree with? Russian accession to the WTO… (close-ended question, one answer per each position) | |
…will lead to the sharp industrial decline or completely destroy domestic industry; our enterprises will not be able to compete with foreign industries | 45 |
…will lead to the increase in production volumes and technological breakthrough. Our enterprises will get access to foreign market and will introduce new technologies to be competitive | 35 |
Hard to tell | 20 |
| |
…will strengthen competitiveness and will expand the range of goods and decrease the prices for customer goods, especially food and clothes | 36 |
…will fill domestic market with foreign goods (especially food products) and, as a consequence, will increase the prices and reduce the range of goods | 42 |
Hard to tell | 21 |
| |
… will increase importing activities (import of foreign goods), decrease the volumes of domestic goods and, as a consequence, increase the unemployment rate and number of dismissals | 48 |
…will provide more job places as more companies and foreign offices will be opened in Russia | 30 |
Hard to tell | 22 |
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!