Levada Center on xenophobia in 2017

On July 14-17, 2017, the Levada Center conducted a traditional survey on the xenophobic attitudes of Russians. The survey was conducted among the urban and rural population. Sociologists interviewed 1,601 people aged 18 and over in 137 settlements in 48 regions of the country. People were interviewed personally in their places of residence. The survey data was published on 23 August.

According to the results of the survey, every second respondent has a neutral, "without special emotions" attitude towards people of the other nationality (58%), other faith (57%), migrants (54%). The exception is representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation, which are referred to as "very bad" and "without much emotion" (35% and 32%). negative attitude towards LGBT exceeds positive ratings by almost eight times, to migrants – 1.5 times: 55% versus 7% and 27% versus 16%, respectively.

In 2017, the level of ethnophobia reached its minimum. For the first time, the proportion of respondents naming one or more nationality whose residence they would like to restrict in the territory Russia, fell below 60%. According to the survey, the inhabitants of Russia are classified as "immigrants from the Caucasus" and from the "former Central Asian republics of the USSR" - about 20% of respondents would like to limit the residence of these peoples on the territory of Russia. Attitude more than half of Russians have a neutral attitude towards people of a different religion, 17% of respondents have a negative attitude towards representatives of other faiths. with the replacement of the topic with other problems, on the other - the absence instrumental and media use of the ethnic factor. The respondents were asked questions about the desire or unwillingness of people living in migration-attractive countries, to accept migrants (meaning external migrants - citizens other states). 6% of respondents support labor migration to Russia of citizens of other countries states. The reluctance to accept labor migrants exceeds 50% level (in Moscow this figure is even higher - 74%). level of support for migration in the period 2014-2017 was taller and was about 20%. According to the survey, migrant phobia is more pronounced ethnophobia.

To questions about attitudes towards the slogans "Russia for Russians" and "Russia only for Russians" by "real fascism" the first the slogan was named by 26% of respondents, the same assessment was given to the second slogan by 29% Russians. Every tenth respondent believes that the ideas of "Russia for Russians" and "Russia only for Russians" "is long overdue." Sociologists note that "the idea in a more radical formulation “Russia only for Russians” is supported by the same number of respondents as in a milder formulation “Russia for Russians”.

Thus, in 2017, sociologists recorded an unprecedented decline in xenophobic sentiments. " The trend towards a decrease in xenophobic sentiment, which began after 2014, in generally continues, and some indicators of public opinion demonstrate positive values ​​that were not previously recorded on such favorable level. What, in our opinion, is the result of substitution topics of migration and interethnic relations other issues and problems, as well as the lack of active use of xenophobic agenda both at the level of legitimate political institutions and level of alternative political and social forces (nationalists, "Russian marches", etc. )", concludes sociologist Karina Pipia.

Sources

• Xenophobia in 2017 // Levada Center. 2017. August 23.