The Russians told what they are afraid of in 2023

Russians are especially afraid of falling ill next year with some kind of serious illness, as well as losing their income and increasing expenses due to inflation-induced price increases.Only 3% fear the end of the world in 2023

The overwhelming majority of Russians associate some kind of fears with the upcoming 2023, only 8% of the country's inhabitants are not afraid of anything. This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted in December by experts from the NAFI analytical center together with the VSK Insurance House. At the same time, Russians are especially afraid of falling ill with some serious illness next year (27% said they have such a fear), as well as losing their income (also 27%) and increasing expenses due to inflation-induced price increases (29%).

Fear of rising costs is most characteristic of men (35% versus 24% of women), people aged 35 to 44 years (39%) and respondents with higher education (38%). Again, men are more afraid of loss of income (31% versus 24% of women), people aged 45-54 (33%) and those who have an average salary (30%).

As part of the study, 1,600 people aged 18 years and older were interviewed. At the same time, the sample was built on the data of official statistics of Rosstat in such a way as to correctly reflect the population of RUSSIA by sex, age, level of education and type of settlement. The sum of answers can be more than 100%, since the respondents had the opportunity to choose up to three answers.

The top ten fears of Russians for 2023 also included:

fear for children with whom “something might happen” - 25%. At the same time, among women, the proportion of those who experience precisely this fear reaches 36% versus 11% for men; fear of a new wave of the covid-19 pandemic  - 20%; the possibility of terrorist attacks - 18%; loss of the ability to pay off previously taken loans - 11%; fear of losing a job - 9%; the occurrence of a shortage of food and medicine - 8%; natural disasters (floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, natural fires) and injuries - 7% each.

The study did not reveal any fears related to the conduct of a special military operation in Ukraine and the growing threat of nuclear war (Russian President Vladimir Putin recently spoke about this). However, 3% of respondents admitted that they are afraid of the imminent end of the world, and 6% are afraid that “not for financial reasons” they will not be able to go on a trip to where they have long wanted to go in 2023.

“The study showed that Russians have material fears combined with non-material ones regarding the coming year. Not surprisingly, at the top of this pyramid are concerns related to personal financial stability and well-being. Taking into account the lessons of the pandemic and the events of the current year, many people admit the development of negative scenarios: high inflation and rising prices, as well as a drop in income levels,” Maxim Grushko, Deputy HEAD of the Analytics and Research Department at VSK Insurance House, commented on the results of the experts’ work.

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The majority (80%) of those who fearfully await the onset of 2023 are looking for ways to somehow protect themselves. However, as the main option for defensive behavior, such recipes as “do not dwell on negative emotions” and “try to be distracted and rest more” are considered.