Growing number of Russians willing to emigrate

During the past three years, the amount of the Russians considering emigration has increased from 13 percent to nearly 20 percent. However, according to the new Levada survey, only 1 percent have taken any real steps in packing their suitcases. Meanwhile, the number of people who previously preferred to stay in Russia has fallen from 80 percent to 73 percent.

Experts cite the main reason for why nearly 20 percent of Russians are considering emigration as being the unstable political and economic situation in their home country. But despite feelings of discontent, very few are actually ready to leave. Only 1 percent of would-be emigrants admit to having made any final decisions to leave and are currently busy going through the emigration process.
Three percent of would-be emigrants acknowledge their definite decision to go overseas; 5 percent are still thinking it over; 17 percent say the idea occasionally occurs to them now and again.

Thirty-three percent of the survey respondents failed to forecast Russia’s situation 50 years into the future. Meanwhile, 21 percent believe the country will become as developed and wealthy as Western nations; 28 percent assume that science, equipment and arms would be similar to that of the West; 7 percent expect the nation to become similar to Asian countries such China and India.