...That's where they came in handy

Four out of five Russians are satisfied that they were born in Russia

In our country, it is usually not considered bad form to criticize or even scold one’s own country and the (dis)orders reigning in it. However, sociologists argue that, despite chronic dissatisfaction with their fatherland, the overwhelming majority of Russians are quite satisfied that fate destined them to be born in Russia and not in any other state. 78% of Russians told VTsIOM that if they were given the opportunity to choose the place of their birth, they would not change anything and would again let out their first cry in some domestic maternity hospital.

Even more unexpectedly, in terms of this indicator of “maternity patriotism,” our fellow citizens were among the leaders. A similar survey was conducted by members of the international association Intersearch in six more European countries - Austria, Bulgaria, Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands - and among these nations only Austrians turned out to be much more patriotic than Russians. In this country, 87% of respondents chose their homeland as the best place to be born. The Italians have slightly overtaken us - here this figure was 79%, but the Germans and Bulgarians are lagging behind (72 and 71% of “maternity patriots”). And quite unexpected skepticism towards their own homeland was shown in the Netherlands and Albion: only 65% ​​of the Dutch and 55% of the British are satisfied with their own country as their place of birth.

The rating of “negative preferences” - countries where respondents would not like to be born - is also interesting. Thus, Russians especially do not like Arab countries, indicated by 16% of respondents, Africa (12%), the USA (9%) and China (5%). The African continent is generally among the leaders of this anti-rating: 18% of Germans, 17% of Dutch, 15% of Italians and 13% of Austrians do not want to be born there. In addition, everyone seriously dislikes Iraq (13% of the British, 8% of Bulgarians, 7% of Germans), the USA (11% of the Dutch, 8% of the Germans, 6% of the Austrians) and, as usual, Russia (9% of the Germans and Dutch, 7 % Italians). VTsIOM also notes that Turkey is especially disliked by Bulgarians - 14% of “brothers” would never agree to be born in a country that has owned their territory for many centuries.

In addition, sociologists tried to find out the emigration wishes of respondents. In Russia, the leader, as it was easy to assume, is Germany, desired by 12% of respondents. 5% of Russians like the United States as a new homeland, France - 4%, the rest of the powers receive no more than 3% of the votes. It is curious that at the same time, 11% of our compatriots would be extremely reluctant to leave for the United States, 7% are afraid of emigrating to China or an African country, and 3% are afraid of living in Germany.

Emigration sentiments in other European countries vary quite widely. So, for example, the British, dissatisfied with their fatherland, would gladly move to Australia, which, ironically, once served as a place of exile for English convicts. Now, leaving for the Green Continent is attractive to 28% of respondents in the United Kingdom. Austrians prefer Italy or Switzerland (12% of votes each), at worst - Germany (9%), Italians are more ready to go to France (17%) or the same Switzerland (12%), Germans - again to Australia ( 9%), USA, Switzerland and Canada (8% each). Bulgarians, like us, are inclined to emigrate to Germany (14%) or the USA (13%), although it is worth noting that in this country the number of potential “departures” is higher than Russian indicators.

During the all-Russian survey, VTsIOM interviewed 1,587 people in 153 settlements in 46 regions, territories and republics of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.

Vladimir DZAGUTO