According to official statistics, in Russia today there is a rapid increase in the average income of the population, even adjusted for rising prices. However, polls show that about 18-20% of Russians note a deterioration in their financial situation. Experts explain this paradox by the fact that the sample used by sociologists may have a higher share of pensioners, whose situation is clearly deteriorating today. New data on the dynamics of the financial situation were presented by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).

According to the results of the FOM survey, over the past two to three months, only 12% of respondents have noticed positive changes in their financial situation, while less than 20% reported a deterioration in the situation. 69% did not notice any major changes in their financial situation.

In terms of age groups, it turns out that the highest share of Russians who positively assess their incomes is in the group of 18-30 years old. Among Russian youth, one in four says that their financial situation has improved in recent months. Worsening of the situation is more often reported in older age groups. So, among Russians over the age of 46, one in five reported a decrease in income over the past few months.

In general, 27% of respondents assess their current financial situation positively. In the coming year, 31% of Russians expect their financial situation to improve. This is the highest share in the history of the measurements. The share of optimists among Russians under the age of 30 is even higher – 54% are confident in the growth of their incomes in the coming year. At the same time, only 12% of respondents are afraid of a worsening of their situation, and 37% of respondents (45% among the oldest) do not expect significant changes in their financial situation in the future.

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Read the entire study here: https://www.ng.ru/economics/2024-07-31/1_9061_stagnation.html