This survey took place between November 22–28, 2018 and was conducted throughout all of Russia in both urban and rural settings. The survey was carried out among 1600 people over the age of 18 in 136 localities of 52 of the country’s regions. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The answer distribution is presented as percentages of the number of participants along with data from previous surveys.

The statistical error of these studies for a selection 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%

In November 2018, the Levada Center repeated its survey on official marriage registration as the accepted norm for interpersonal relations. These questions were given in earlier surveys in 2002 and 2012, thus allowing us to track changes in people’s perceptions of the “norm” and the direction of these changes or the lack thereof.

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT MARRIED PEOPLE ARE USUALLY HAPPIER THAN UNMARRIED PEOPLE? (one answer)

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT PEOPLE MUST BE MARRIED IF THEY WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN? (one answer)

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT IT IS OKAY FOR TWO PEOPLE TO LIVE TOGETHER WITHOUT INTENDING TO OFFICIALLY MARRY? (one answer)

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT DIVORCE IS USUALLY THE BEST SOLUTION WHEN A MARRIED COUPLE CAN’T RESOLVE THEIR FAMILY PROBLEMS? (one answer)

Translated by Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (formerly Monterey Institute of International Studies).

The ANO Levada Center has been included in the registry of non-commercial organizations acting as foreign agents. Read the Director of the Levada Center’s statement of disagreement with this decision here.