More than half of the respondents are primarily concerned about rising prices, a third indicated concerns related to the conduct of a “special military operation”, three out of ten fear the threat of terrorist attacks. Concerns about inflation or the availability of medicine and education remain at a constant level, while worries about most socio-economic problems have subsided in the past few years. The recent terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall has noticeably exacerbated anxiety about possible terrorist attacks, as well as hostility towards migrants. The perception of social problems is significantly influenced by the respondents’ belonging to a particular social group.

In general, more than half of the respondents (54%) consider the most acute problem to be price increases, in the previous measurement in August 2023, this problem was also in the first place. One in three (32%) noted the conflict with the West and sanctions among the most acute problems of their own. In third place among the problems that worry Russians the most, this time there was a threat of explosions and terrorist acts (29%).

It is worth noting that the survey took place from March 21 to March 27 and it is possible to trace how the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall influenced the opinion of the respondents. Thus in the first two days (before the event), only 14% of respondents said they were worried about the threat of terrorist attacks, and after March 22, the proportion of those who noted this problem was 32%. There is also a noticeable difference in the number of mentions on different days of the survey for such problems as “the influx of visitors, migrants” (an increase from 19% in the first days of the survey to 25% after the terrorist attack) or “the growth of nationalism, the deterioration of interethnic relations” (an increase from 6% to 10%).

The perception of social problems is heterogeneous in different social groups. Thus, older Russians (65 years and older) are more concerned about the unavailability of medical care (30% of the group — 2 times more often than young Russians). Young people (18-24 years old) are more likely than other age groups to talk about an increase in drug addiction (36%), a large number of migrants or corruption (29% and 26% are one and a half times more likely than representatives of the older generation), middle—aged Russians are more concerned about housing affordability (27% in the 25-34 age group, 29% in the 35-44 years old). Pension reform is more concerned about people of pre-retirement and retirement age – 31% in the 45-54 year group, 32% in the 55-64 year group).

Depending on the place of residence, respondents assess social problems differently: residents of Moscow are more afraid of the threat of explosions and terrorist attacks, as well as the influx of migrants (41% each, which is one and a half and two times more often than among residents of rural areas) than residents of smaller settlements. While residents of large cities (with a population of 500 thousand people or more) are more concerned about housing problems (28%) and corruption (35%).

The perception of public problems also depends on assessments of the actions of the authorities. Oppositional Russians are noticeably more likely than loyal citizens to be concerned about military actions (42%), pension reform (34%), corruption (33% — one and a half times more often than loyal citizens), poverty (33% — one and a half times more often), income stratification (22% — twice as often), the inability to to achieve the truth in court (17% — almost 3 times more often) and by restricting civil rights (18% — 9 times more often).

Perceptions of public issues can change over time. Thus, among the socio-economic problems, the assessment of price growth has not changed much recently (54%), but the share of those who name such problems as poverty (18%), rising unemployment (11%), the crisis in the economy (9%) and delayed payments of salaries, pensions and benefits continues to decrease (4%).

After a small surge at the end of last year, there has been a decline in concern about such problems as corruption, bribery (21%) and arbitrary officials (7%).

In the social sphere, the share of those who noted the influx of newcomers and migrants in this issue has increased (up to 24%), and the share of mentions of the unavailability of medical care (19%), the stratification of rich and poor (13%), and the unavailability of education (11%) is decreasing.

Among other problems, fears of terrorist attacks and explosions have increased significantly (up to 29%), while anxiety about the moral crisis and environmental degradation is decreasing (up to 14% for both problems).