Levada Center on nationalism, xenophobia and migration

On August 26, 2014, the Levada Center published the results of a survey on the topic "Nationalism, xenophobia, migration." The survey was conducted on July 18-21, 2014   among 1,600 people aged 18 and over in 134 locations points in 46 regions of the country. The statistical error of the data of these studies is not exceeds 3.4%. According to sociologists, the Ukrainian crisis and confrontation with The West has temporarily relegated to the background interethnic and migration problems that are relevant to Russia. If in October In 2013, the peak of xenophobic sentiments was recorded. Then the slogan "Russia for Russians" was supported by 66% of Russians, which was the maximum for all the years of measurements carried out by the Levada Center, now there are 54% of them. The appeal “Stop feeding the Caucasus” in the fall of 2013 was supported by 71%, in 2014 - 52%.

The proportion of those who believe that it is necessary to restrict residence of immigrants from the Caucasus (from 54 to 38%), immigrants from former Central Asian republics of the USSR (from 45 to 33%) and Chinese (from 45 to 29%), at the same time, the number of opponents of Jews and Ukrainians remained virtually unchanged (about 8% each). Against restricting residence in Russia for any nations, 21% of the respondents spoke in comparison with 11% last year.

The number of Russians who believe that “currently time in Russia, mass bloody clashes are possible on national soil”, decreased from 62% in October 2013 to 24% in July 2014. About the feeling of interethnic tension in the city/district, where the respondent lives, in the fall of 2013, 43% of the respondents spoke, in July 2014 - 23%. Russians began to feel less negative feelings towards people from the southern republics. However, the reduction of negativity and aggression did not come at the expense of an increase in positive perception, which could indicate the positive dynamics in this area, and due to the growth indifferent attitude. In addition, new objects of xenophobia appeared - "Westerners" and Ukrainian "fascists".

Despite an increase in positive ratings,  readiness to approve the establishment of various restrictions from visitors remains almost at the same level. More than two-thirds of those surveyed (64%) believe that illegal migrants should be expelled from Russia neighboring countries. 76% insist on strict administrative policy that the government of the Russian Federation should pursue in order to reduce influx of visitors. Only 16% believe that immigrants are good for development economy of Russia.

Sources

• Nationalism, xenophobia and migration // Levada Center. 2014. August 26.