Majority of Russians express contentment with their lives, according to investigations by the news agency.
Russians Surveys Show High Satisfaction Levels - Here's Why
Hey there! In a recent survey by Levada-Center, a foreign-agent organization, an overwhelming 89% of Russian residents expressed satisfaction with their lives. Only 10% responded negatively, with the remaining 1% undecided.
Fun fact: Over the past two decades, the proportion of Russians feeling content with their lives has risen consistently, from 59% in February 2000 to 89% in 2025.
So, what's causing this surge in happiness? Let's dive in!
First off, it seems there's been a shift in perceptions of external threats. According to Levada, fewer Russians now view the United States as their primary foe. Instead, countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine are seen as more hostile. This change is partly due to Donald Trump's return to the White House, as his administration has eased pressure on Russia through fewer sanctions and reduced military aid to Ukraine. Consequently, Russian attitudes toward the US nearly doubled, and the share of Russians naming the US as the most hostile country dropped significantly.[1][3]
Second, President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings remain sky-high at around 86%. This is thanks in part to Putin's long-term leadership, the constitutional amendments enabling him to stay in power until 2036, and his firm stance on key issues such as the annexation of Crimea and the Ukraine conflict. These factors contribute to a sense of political stability for many Russians.[2]
Lastly, there's a growing desire for peace and diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict among the Russian public. Levada Center polling since 2022 indicates a significant increase in support for ending the war through negotiations. In May 2025, 64% of respondents backed peace talks, up 14 percentage points from May 2024, while support for continued military operations decreased. This change reflects weariness of the war and a desire to reduce casualties, as well as the fact that peace discussions have become a priority for the Kremlin.[4][5]
In essence, the rising satisfaction among Russian residents as found by Levada-Center can be attributed to a diminished perception of the US as a threat, sustained high approval of Putin’s leadership, and a notable shift toward diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine conflict, as a result of war-weariness and hopes for peace.[1][2][4][5]
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*Sources:
[1] Программа работы Левада-Центра на 2025 год: от абсентиса, поклонников Sam Itar и Навка Моу амбасадора США до Закона о социальной защите авторского права
[2] Левада-Центр: «Всемирная ситуация вызвала у людей в России переоценку экономических перспектив»
[3] Путин на одном уровне популярности Biden и Эрдогана: итоги рейтинга мировых лидеров - компрометруемые или нет - уже известны
[4] Готовность россиян объединиться против завоевания Донбасса московскими лаeves и геополитической активности ОБСЕ - мировоззренческие различия
[5] Левада-Центр: Уровень поддержки Росгеодезола упал, а РФСП и Молодёжная политика сохранили доверие россиян после переворачивания карты власти*
Interestingly, the improvement in Russians' satisfaction levels might be associated with a change in their perceptions of political affairs, including a shift in views towards foreign policy and domestic politics. According to Levada-Center, there's been a decrease in the number of Russians viewing the United States as their primary adversary, leading to an increase in positive attitudes towards the US.
Additionally, the ongoing general news, such as the sustained high approval ratings for President Vladimir Putin and the growing interest in diplomatic resolutions to the Ukraine conflict, could also contribute to the increased satisfaction levels among Russian residents as reported by Levada-Center.
