The respondents have a prevailing opinion that nothing has changed in their lives in recent years. At the same time, the number of those who calmly look into their own future and the future of the country is growing. At the same time, the planning horizon of Russians has hardly changed over the year.

Over the year, since January 2023, the level of adaptation of respondents to living conditions has practically not changed. However, in a broader comparative perspective, significant shifts are noticeable. In five years, the number of respondents whose lives, according to their own answers, have hardly changed has increased significantly – from 24% to 40%. The share of those who managed to “use opportunities to achieve more” also increased slightly — their share increased by 5 percentage points. Over the same period, the proportion of respondents in a state of “active adaptation” has significantly decreased, that is, those who have to “grab any opportunity” to survive and ensure an acceptable life: a decrease from 35% in 2018 to 22% in November 2023. The number of those who have come to terms with their straitened situation has also decreased – from 21% to 15% in five years.

In general, it can be concluded that there is a gradually growing proportion of respondents who are confident that they are able to maintain their former lives, despite the changes taking place around them. Another study shows that, to a large extent, the feeling of immutability is typical for older people.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes your attitude to your current life? (in %)

Since 2021, the number of respondents who would prefer to have a small but solid income has decreased from 54% to 47%. In two years, the proportion of those who would prefer to have their own business has increased slightly (by 3%), as well as those who would choose an easier job and more free time, albeit for a small salary. Over the past 8 years, the number of respondents choosing to work for hire with high income and high risk has significantly decreased, probably due to an increase in the proportion of respondents who are ready for entrepreneurship.

What would you prefer if you could choose? (in %)

Younger respondents, as well as respondents with an income that allows them to buy durable goods, are much more likely to prefer a high level of income with associated risks to other career paths. Older respondents, on the contrary, are significantly more likely to prefer stability at work.

What would you prefer if you could choose? (per age group, in %)

In addition to demographic and socio-economic factors, the choice between risk and stability is influenced by the political orientation of the respondent. Thus, respondents who approve of the course the country is heading are noticeably more likely to say that there have been no changes in their lives lately and a little more often that they have managed to successfully use the opportunities around them. At the same time, respondents who are more critical are more likely to admit that their adaptation is not so successful – either they are trying to maintain the same standard of living, or they have come to terms with the fact that it has become worse than the past.

What would you prefer if you could choose? (per approval of the state of affairs in the country, in %)

Regarding career prospects, the difference is also statistically significant: critically minded respondents are more likely to take risks in their careers than those who support the country’s course.

What would you prefer if you could choose? (per approval of the state of affairs in the country, in %)

Over the past year, the share of Russians who look at the future of Russia calmly has increased by 6% (from 49% to 55%), and by 5% – those who look with confidence into their own future (from 52% to 57%). These two indicators are very strongly correlated with each other, indicating a connection between two assessments – assessments of the country’s prospects and their own. Young and middle-aged respondents, as well as those with relatively high incomes, are more likely to look to the future with calmness.

What are your feelings about the future of Russia? (in %)

How do you feel about your own future? (in %)

The respondents’ planning horizon has hardly changed over the past year: about half of the respondents do not undertake to make any forecasts, even for the near future. This proportion remained unchanged. The number of those who are trying to plan for a year or two has increased slightly (from 29% to 35%), but the proportion of respondents looking several years ahead has decreased (from 18% to 11%).

How many years ahead can you plan for your future? (in %)