Russians becoming more optimistic - VCIOM

MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - Over half of Russians, or 53%, will see in the New Year in a good, optimistic mood, compared to 38% last year, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) said on its website on Thursday.

A third of respondents, or 34%, says they are not especially optimistic but do not feel negative either, compared to 40% a year ago, the pollster said.

The number of pessimistic respondents has practically halved, from 20% to 11%, year-on-year, VCIOM said.

Two percent of respondents were undecided both in 2022 and now in 2023, it said.

VCIOM polled 1,600 respondents older than 18 by phone nationwide on December 16, 2023.