The outgoing year has been difficult for Russia. In the next year Russians expect economic stabilization and a decrease in military and political tensions.

MOSCOW, December 24, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey describing the Russian memories of the outgoing year; the public expectations for 2016, and plans to celebrate the New Year’ eve.  

2015 events

The 2015 major event is a Syrian war, according to 43% of Russians. The Russia-Turkey conflict is mentioned by 26% of Russians among major world events and by 12% of those who think it is the main national event.  Other important Russian events involve the Russian airplane crash over Egypt (11%), crisis, inflation and ruble decline (10%).

The Medialogia Company study based on the Russian federal media analysis suggests that military conflict in Ukraine, Greek crisis and Paris terrorist attacks are among the top three most important events. The most resonant events on a national scale include Russian plane crash over Sinai, Russian warplane shot down by Turkey and Boris Nemtsov’s murder.

2015 rankings

Vladimir Putin is chosen by 74% of respondents as politician of the year. He is followed by Sergey Lavrov (13%), Dmitry Medvedev (5%), Sergey Shoigu (5%), and Vladimir Zhirinovsky (4%). For the first time Anton Shipulin is chosen as the most popular athlete (6%), followed by Evgeny Plyuschenko on the second place (4%), and Elena Isinbayeva on the third place (3%).

The most popular actors are Sergey Bezrukov (5%), Konstantin Khabensky (5%), Dmitry Nagiev (3%). The biggest singers are Philipp Kirkorov  (6%) and Stas Mikhailov (5%), followed by Dmitry Khvorostovsky on the third place (5%). Russians found it hard to choose the writer of the year; Daria Dontsova was mentioned by 3% of respondents; Zakhar Prilepin – by 2%; the remainder – by 1% or less.  

The most popular TV shows are Pervy Kanal (Channel One) projects such as “Pust govoryat” (15%), ”Golos” (7%), “Novosti” (5%). TV series of the year is “Tikhii Don”; “Univer” and “Interny” (4% per each). The latest episode of the Star Wars is called the best movie in 2015. Remarkably, Russians do not have any sport, show business or TV front-runner: none of the “heroes”, TV-series or movies mentioned in the pubic ranking gained at least 10% of likings. 

Emotions and assessments for 2015; expectations for 2016

Saying farewell to 2015, Russians have the same state of mind as in the previous year: the index* has been at 60 p. (historical maximum with the potential minimum of 10 and potential maximum of 90 p.). The optimism levels are still high; 41% of Russians have positive attitude. A further 43% feel no sorrow, no joy; only 14% are pessimistic and do not expect anything positive from the future.

Forty-two percent of Russians call the year 2015 “good” and “lucky” (versus 59% in 2014), whereas 47% find it difficult (an increase from 39% in 2014). The index reflecting personal achievements** has decreased from 20 to 5 p., respectively (range between -100 and 100). The index reflecting the country’s general results** has lost 28 p. over a year and plummeted to -53 p. This figure has been negative since 2008.

Twenty-two percent of Russians report that this year was not favorable for Russia (36% in 2014), whereas 75% say that the recent twelve months have been hard (61% in 2014). At the same time, the indicator describing the levels of pessimism/optimism regarding the upcoming year*** has slightly increased from 35 p. in 2014 to 37 p. in 2015; the index of expectation on a national scale*** has strengthened even more – from 23 to 28 pp.  

Celebration plans, spending and gifts

As usual, most of Russians (77%) are planning to celebrate the New Year ‘eve at home. Every tenth (11%) will visit friends; 2% would like to go to a restaurant or club. Dachas and recreation centers are not so popular and chosen by only 2 and 1% of respondents (respectively). One percent of respondents opt for travelling; 3% are not going to celebrate this holiday at all.

The average spending keep increasing year-by-year: the total sum of money makes up 11884 rub. this year which is 38% more than Russians planned to spend for the upcoming new year celebrations (8628 rub.). Much more money will be spend on gifts (increase from 3142 to 4198 rub.),  new year table (from 3103 to 4069 rub.), and other things (visits to theatre, restaurant and children’s new year parties; from 2383 to 3617 rub.).

Russians are going to give souvenirs (28%), candies and alcohol (24%), toys (22%), perfumery, cosmetics and bijouterie (15%; a 10-point decrease from 2013). At the same time, money is at the top of the list of the most desired gifts (11%). Seven percent of Russians would like to have a car as a gift. Jewellery is chosen by 6%; travel packages - by 6%; perfumery and cosmetics – by 5%. Interestingly, the share of those who do not want to receive any gifts has reached its maximum this year - 23% (17% in 2014); the same is true for those who do not want to give any gifts  – 16% (the same figure was recorded in 2008).  

Detailed survey results are accessible here  

*Index shows the overall Russian assessments of the outgoing year and their expectations from the upcoming year. The index is based on the question: “What feelings do you have seeing off 2015 and welcoming 2016?”  The answer “Good feeling, optimism” corresponds to the coefficient (0.9); “Neither emotional uprising, nor negative emotions” – (0.5); “More like a bad mood, negative emotions” - (0.1). The index is measured in points and can vary between 10 and 90. The higher the value of index is, the more optimistic Russian are about the outgoing year.

**Indices of personal achievements and country’s results in general are based on the questions “What was the outgoing year like for you and your family?”, “What was the outgoing year for Russia, in general?” The index is calculated as a difference between positive and negative answers. The value of index can vary between -100 and 100 points.  The higher the value of index is, the more positive respondents are about the outgoing year.

***Indices of personal expectations from the upcoming year and expectations on a national scale are based on the questions “What do you expect in 2016 to happen in your life and in your family?”, “What do you expect to happen in Russia in 2016?” The index is calculated as a difference between positive and negative answers. The value of index can vary between -100 and 100 points.  The higher the value of index is, the more positive respondents are about the future.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted December 19-20, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%. Russian media monitoring and analysis were carried out by the Medialogia Company using approximately 30 000 sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, information agencies and online media. The rankings are based on the exposure and mentions of a certain topic in the most influential media. Research period: January– December 2015.

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! Full or partial reproduction of the Medialogia Company materials in other media must contain a reference to the Medialogia Company.