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Evaluation of Current National Economic Situation

Region % neutral or positive    % Russian mean
Volga 33 174
North-west 33 171
Volgo-Vyatka 22 116
Urals 22 115
RUSSIAN MEAN 19 100
Central 17 91
Far East 17 90
North Caucasus 17 90
East Siberia 13 69
Central Black Earth 12 64
Northern 9 46
West Siberia 8 43
Source: VCIOM.  Russian nationwide surveys, 1997.

Across the country as a whole, 81 percent of Russians thought the country's economic situation was bad or very bad in the election year of 1996--and events since have undoubtedly added to this massive majority.  However, dissatisfaction is not unanimous--19 per cent have been positive or neutral in evaluating Russia's economic situation.  Furthermore, attitudes differ substantially between regions, reflecting variations in economic conditions.

Positive views are most often found in the Volga and the North-west regions.  The Central region, with Moscow as its core, is just below average in the proportion who are positive about the national economy.  The fewest people are positive about the economy in West Siberia and the Northern region.


CSPP School of Government & Public Policy U. of Strathclyde Glasgow G1 1XQ Scotland
Email: cspp@strath.ac.uk