60% of Russians believe that the economic situation in their city or region is getting worse. This follows from results A survey conducted by the American research company Gallup, which was conducted from March to May 2026.
This is the highest number in 20 years (the company has been conducting a similar survey since 2006). The previous highs were recorded in 2020 (45%) and 2021 (50%) during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a 2026 survey, 27% of respondents noticed an improvement in the economic situation in their city or region.
56% of Russians said that their standard of living is deteriorating – this is also a record for 20 years. 29% of participants reported an improvement in their standard of living.
Russians’ views on the labor market also worsened – 58% of respondents said now is a bad time to look for a job, and 35% believe it is a good time. A year ago, these numbers were 46% and 49%, respectively.
Gallup also points to a record year-over-year decline in Russians’ confidence in the military, government and elections. Thus, confidence in the army decreased from 79% to 66%, in the government from 67% to 53%, and in the integrity of the elections from 56% to 40%. The positive assessment of the level of media freedom in the country collapsed during the year from 59% to 34%.
Russian Social Services (and) began to record a decline in the ratings of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the spring of 2026. At the end of June, FOM published the results of a survey, from which it concluded that the level of Russians’ trust in President Vladimir Putin had fallen to 69% – this is the lowest figure since the war with Ukraine.