A recent survey by the Public Opinion Foundation, or FOM, provides a layered view of how Russians perceive their finances as they look toward the coming year. The results show a split mood: roughly one in three respondents express confidence that their financial situation will improve, while about 36 percent expect no change at all. Taken together, these figures reveal a cautious optimism that sits beside a substantial share of the population bracing for the status quo. The data come from a nationwide questionnaire designed to capture diverse regional experiences and household circumstances, offering a broad snapshot of consumer sentiment across the country.
In the most recent window of time, the survey suggests that some households have begun to notice positive shifts. Over the last two to three months, around 10 percent of Russians reported improvements in their financial situation, a sign that small gains are reaching a subset of households even as the overall picture remains fragile. Analysts view this as a potential early signal of improving conditions, though they caution that such gains do not translate into a broad upturn in confidence or spending for the majority.
Delving into the detailed breakdown, the data indicate that nearly 28 percent of Russians expect their finances to improve in the coming year. This share, while not reaching a full third, points to a persistent, if modest, streak of optimism among households. The figure sits alongside the larger trend of guarded expectations, where people anticipate better times without counting on rapid or widespread relief. The takeaway is a nuanced outlook: a notable minority anticipate improvement within a challenging environment, while many others remain unsure about the near term.
Conversely, the survey shows that 36 percent foresee no change in their financial situation, and 13 percent anticipate a decline. This distribution emphasizes a two-tier reality for many households, where some endure ongoing pressure and others hope for stability. The balance between those expecting stagnation and those bracing for deterioration underscores the persistence of price challenges, slow income growth, and the uneven impact of broader economic forces on families and communities.
When respondents assess their overall financial position, the results suggest a three-tier picture. More than half of Russians, amounting to 56 percent, rate their situation as average. A quarter, or 25 percent, describe it as good, while 16 percent consider it poor. This spectrum reflects both resilience in some households and vulnerability in others. It also sheds light on how people might respond to evolving costs of living, debt obligations, and savings opportunities, all of which influence everyday choices from groceries to big-ticket purchases.
A separate ROMIR study conducted on October 14 points to a darker note within the quarter’s data: the third quarter of 2024 saw a deterioration in the financial situation for a segment of the population. The ROMIR findings indicate a shift in consumer confidence alongside a broader pattern of caution about future income, spending, and economic stability. Taken with FOM’s data, this paints a portrait of a consumer base that is simultaneously watching for signs of relief and bracing for what comes next, with confidence ebbing and flowing as macro conditions evolve.
Against this backdrop, questions about labor policy have reappeared in public discourse. Specifically, there has been discussion about whether a six-day work week planned for late October would influence wage levels. The topic underscores how employment structures and policy choices interact with household finances, shaping expectations about earnings, hours worked, and overall financial security. Together, the findings from FOM and ROMIR illustrate a layered landscape: pockets of optimism persist, but a broader sense of financial strain remains a reality for many families as they navigate prices, wages, and the uncertain course of the economy.