Eight out of ten (78%) of Russians consider themselves to be relatively happy, according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM). However, the overall happiness index has dropped to its lowest point since November 2014, TASS reported on September 16.
"The happiness index of Russians in August 2024 reached its minimum since November 2014 and totalled 60 points," the report stated. The data shows a noticeable shift in sentiment over the past three months. “The share of those who consider themselves absolutely happy has decreased to 32%, while those who describe themselves as rather unhappy has increased to 12%,” the pollster added.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents stated they felt "rather happy," although this marks a general decline in the nation’s sense of well-being.
The findings are based on data from VTsIOM's daily all-Russian survey, VTsIOM-Sputnik, which tracks the happiness index by asking respondents: "Everything happens in life – both good and bad. But in general, are you happy or not?" The index is then calculated by subtracting the sum of negative responses from positive ones, with the results measured on a scale ranging from -100 to 100.