The most widespread types of civic engagement among Russians are voluntary help to the poor and victims of natural disasters (45%), voting in elections of any level (40%, the question was asked before the State Duma elections), attending educational events (36%), donations to social initiatives (28%) and giving alms (27%). The questions were asked in comparable ways in March and September of 2021.
Over the past few years we can note a rise in voluntary help to the poor and victims of natural disasters from 38% in 2018 and 2020 to 45% in 2021. Also Russians are donating more to social initiatives (21% in 2020 and 28% in 2021) and cooperating to solve common problems (13% in 2020, 19% in 2021). Meanwhile the number of people giving alms has decreased. The share of Russians involved in volunteering work or the life of a religious community does not change significantly.
Voluntary help to the poor and victims of natural disasters as well as donations to social initiatives are more typical of middle-aged respondents. Voting in elections and alms are more typical of respondents aged 55 and older, attending educational events – among respondents aged 18-24.
Methodology
This survey was conducted September 23 – 29 2021, among a representative sample of all Russian urban and rural residents. The sample consisted of 1634 people aged 18 or older in 137 municipalities of 50 regions of the Russian Federation. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The answer distribution is presented as percentages of the total number of participants along with data from previous surveys.
The statistical error of these studies for a sample of 1600 people (with a probability of 0.95) does not exceed:
3.4% for indicators around 50%
2.9% for indicators around 25%/75%
2.0% for indicators around 10%/90%
1.5% for indicators around 5%/95%
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