Happiness Levels in Russia: A Summary of Survey Findings and Demographic Insights
According to the job search service SuperJob, 22 percent of Russians consider themselves absolutely happy. These figures come from survey data reported by RT, and they reflect a snapshot of how people in Russia rate their emotional state across a five-point scale.
In the same survey, 22 percent rated their happiness at the maximum level, five out of five. Of those polled, 28 percent chose four and 24 percent chose three. Ten percent placed their happiness at two points, and eight percent described themselves as absolutely unhappy. Taken together, these numbers illustrate a broad spectrum of perceived well-being among respondents, with a substantial share leaning toward mid-to-high satisfaction, while a smaller portion reports clear dissatisfaction.
Gender differences appear in the data as well. The study found that, on average, women report higher levels of happiness than men. Family status plays a role too: married individuals tend to be happier than those who are single or in non-marital relationships, and people with children report higher satisfaction than couples without children. Age also shows a pattern, with younger adults under 24 more likely to express contentment with life compared with other age groups.
Geographic variation is noted in the results, with residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg often mentioned in discussions of happiness disparities. In particular, residents of St. Petersburg were observed to be, on average, less happy than people living in many other regions. This regional nuance contributes to a broader conversation about how urban environments, economic conditions, and social factors influence subjective well-being across the country.
Despite these positive indicators in certain groups, analysts conclude that happiness remains a work in progress for many Russians. The data show that a large share of citizens—about 93 percent—express a desire to change at least one area of their life. This signals a widespread awareness of personal improvement opportunities and the ongoing challenge of achieving sustained contentment amid social and economic dynamics.
Economic expectations also factor into the happiness equation. The survey captured a commonly cited benchmark for personal well-being: respondents indicated that an income of 190 thousand rubles per month would be associated with greater happiness for many people. This figure highlights how financial considerations intersect with subjective well-being in the public discourse, even as individuals interpret money in the context of family needs, housing, health, and security.
It is important to note that these findings come from surveys and media reports of them. While they offer a useful lens on how different groups in Russia perceive happiness, they do not capture every nuance of daily life or the full range of factors that influence emotional state. Readers should view the results as a mosaic of attitudes and experiences rather than a single verdict on national well-being. The data do, however, provide a coherent picture of demographic tendencies, regional differences, and the role of economic expectations in shaping how people feel about their lives at a given moment. In this sense, the study contributes to a broader understanding of happiness as a subjective measure tied to personal circumstances, social relations, and financial security. Overall, while many Russians report high satisfaction in specific segments of the population, a large portion still identifies areas for improvement and expresses a desire for change across various aspects of life. Citations for these interpretations point to SuperJob and RT as the primary sources that documented the survey results and their initial analysis.