Sentiment in Russia is deteriorating due to prices and economic problems
In Russia, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who believe their financial situation will worsen in the near future. According to sociologists, 22% of Russians now hold this view—the highest figure in the last 11 years. Against the backdrop of rising prices and economic problems, optimism among the population is dwindling.
The number of people in Russia who expect their financial situation to worsen has risen sharply. This is evidenced by the results of a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation (FOM). Over the past month, the share of Russians who believe their living conditions will worsen over the course of the year has risen from 16% to 22%. This is the highest figure since 2015. At the same time, only 22% of those surveyed expect their well-being to improve. By comparison, that figure stood at 23% back in June.
In fact, the number of pessimists and optimists has almost evened out. The last time this situation was observed was back in 2021. Russians usually expected their lives to improve, but now the mood has noticeably changed. Experts attribute this to protracted economic problems, inflation, and the consequences of the war, which the population is feeling more and more acutely.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) notes that the financial costs of the war for ordinary Russians continue to rise. As a result, more and more families are tightening their belts. “The mood among Russians is deteriorating as they feel the effects of the war firsthand, and its economic cost to the population continues to rise,” CSIS analysts note.
According to their data, Russians began cutting back on spending en masse as early as the end of last year. This is particularly noticeable in the non-food goods market. Sales of home appliances, electronics, clothing, footwear, and other goods are declining, and shoppers are increasingly opting for cheaper alternatives or budget stores. This decline in consumer sentiment is also confirmed by consumer confidence indices regularly published by the Levada Center and FOM. In 2026, these indices entered the pessimism zone and fell to nearly their lowest levels since the announcement of mobilization in Russia.
Economic indicators also point to a worsening situation. According to estimates by Russia’s Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting (CMASF), real disposable household income in the first quarter of this year—adjusted for seasonal factors—declined by approximately 1% compared to the previous quarter. This marked the first decline in Russians’ real incomes in the past three years.
Rising prices and problems in the fuel market are putting additional pressure on the economy. All of this directly affects citizens’ daily expenses, forcing them to cut back on some purchases and manage their household budgets more carefully. “More and more Russians are being forced to save money and reevaluate their spending. Against this backdrop, the number of people who expect their financial situation to worsen has reached an eleven-year high,” according to the results of a FOM survey.
The rise in pessimism among the population reflects not only the worsening economic situation but also a decline in Russians’ confidence in their own future. Analysts note that in the absence of positive changes, this trend may continue. This is reported by Russian media.
Despite statements by Russian authorities about the stabilization of the fuel market, the situation in the country continues to deteriorate. Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the fuel shortage is growing, prices are rising, and gasoline production is falling.
