For first time in 20 years, majority of Russians say economy is worsening – poll
A Gallup poll shows that 60% of Russians believe the economic situation in their region is deteriorating, the highest level since 2006. Pessimism about living standards also reached a record, with 56% saying their standard of living is worsening.
According to a Gallup poll, 60% of Russians believe the economic situation in their region is deteriorating, while only 27% think it is improving. This is the first time since 2006 that a majority of Russian adults have expressed this view. Previously, such pessimism was most widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, when half of respondents said the economy was worsening.
Russians are also increasingly pessimistic about their own standard of living. In the latest survey, 56% said their standard of living is deteriorating, marking the highest level of pessimism ever 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%.
The poll comes amid reports from Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (FISU) about a budget crisis in Russia's regions, which led to widespread salary delays in the public sector in early 2026. At the end of 2025, FISU reported that Russia's economy shows signs of systemic strain, reflected in a sharp increase in complaints from citizens about labor rights violations.
