For first time in 20 years, majority of Russians say economy is worsening – poll

A record 60% of Russians surveyed between March and May said the economic situation in their regions is worsening, while 27% said it is improving.

Source: a survey by Gallup

Details: According to the survey, 60% of Russians said the economic situation in their region is deteriorating, while fewer than half as many – 27% – believe it is improving.

Analysts note that this is the first time since 2006 that a majority of Russian adults have said the economy is worsening. Previously, such views were most widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, when half of respondents expressed this opinion in 2021.

Russians are also becoming increasingly pessimistic about their own standard of living. In the latest survey, 56% said their standard of living is deteriorating. The survey indicates that this is the highest level of pessimism recorded and the first time in two decades that a majority of Russian adults have expressed this view.

Confidence in the Russian military fell by 13 percentage points to 66%, while trust in the government declined by 14 percentage points to 53%.

Background:

• In January, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU) reported that the budget crisis in Russia's regions made itself felt at the start of 2026 in the form of widespread delays to salary payments in the public sector.
• At the end of 2025, the FISU reported that Russia's economy is showing signs of systemic strain, and this is reflected in a steep rise in complaints from its citizens about labour rights violations.

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