Happiness levels have remained “surprisingly resilient” in the face of external shocks, a poll has found
Almost 80% of Russians feel happy despite the external challenges, according to a nationwide poll released on Wednesday.
The survey by state pollster VCIOM suggests that the overall sense of wellbeing among the population remains robust, with only the proportion of individuals identifying as absolutely or moderately happy fluctuating from month to month.
In its latest poll, which surveyed some 1,600 Russians over the age of 18 last month, VCIOM asked the respondents: “There are good and bad things in life, but overall, would you say you are happy?”
The pollster found that 79% of Russians described themselves as “happy in one way or another,” with more than a third (36%) saying they were “absolutely happy.”
“As recent years have shown, happiness levels in Russia have remained surprisingly resilient in the face of external shocks,” the pollster noted.
VCIOM cited the Covid-19 pandemic, which it claims did not lead to widespread despondency, as proof of “the psychological resilience of the population.”
According to the latest World Happiness Report, meanwhile, Russia ranked 66th among the 147 countries surveyed last year. Finland was reported as the happiest and Afghanistan the least happy.
Among European nations, the unhappiest was Ukraine, which also ranked 111th globally.
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that measures global contentment based on life evaluations, social support, freedom of choice, GDP per capita, and additional indicators of wellbeing. The data is drawn from the Gallup World Poll and various supplementary sources.
