Russians don’t want to emigrate – survey

06 August, 2008, 18:17

As many as 79% of Russians say they wouldn’t like to leave their homeland to settle in another country, according to an opinion poll by the Russian researchers, VCIOM. And, when asked to imagine the perfect scenario in chosing a place to be born in, the country’s citizens definitely decided against the African continent – and even the United States.

The survey suggests that there are more ‘patriotic’ thinkers among older people than among the young. 91% of those aged over 60 don’t want to change where they live, but only 69% of young people agree with them.

More than half of Russians consider it unfair, wrong and unpatriotic to emigrate from the country where people grew up and were schooled. But 37% believe that individuals should be free to choose to live in a place where he or she would feel most comfortable and happy. Again, views differ between the generations. Younger people don’t seem to regard emigration as being 'unfair'.

Those taking part in the poll were also asked which country they wish they would have been born in. A patriotic 79% said the best place to have been born was Russia – and they wouldn’tconsider leaving the Motherland. Even so, 6% said a definite ‘no’ to Russia and wouldn’t have voted for it to be their birthplace.

The most unpopular places seem to be the continent of Africa and the U.S. – 11% and 7% respectively ‘refused’ to be born there.