15.08.2014
Dynamics of patriotic moods
- According to a survey conducted by the Rating Group, 86% of Ukrainians consider themselves patriots of their country. At the same time, 50% definitely characterize themselves as patriots, and another 36% say they are rather patriots than not. Only 6% do not consider themselves patriots, while 8% were unable to determine their position.
- Over the past year, the share of those who consider themselves patriots increased from 81% to 86%, and compared to 2010 it increased from 76% to 86%. At the same time, the share of those who do not consider themselves patriots more than halved (from 15% in 2010 to 6% in 2014). Residents of the West, North and Center, people with higher income and higher education levels, as well as Ukrainian-speaking respondents are more likely to consider themselves patriots.
- Overall, 76% of respondents would support the proclamation of Ukraine’s Independence if they faced such a choice today. At the same time, 12% would not support it, and another 12% were undecided. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in supporters of Independence (from 61% to 76%), while the number of opponents almost halved. The vast majority of respondents in all regions support Ukraine’s Independence, except in Donbas, where supporters and opponents are equal at 34% each, while almost a third (31%) were undecided.
- The younger the respondents, the more they support Ukraine’s Independence. Support is also higher among respondents with higher education and higher income. More than 90% of respondents who consider Ukrainian their native language would vote for Independence. Among those who consider both Russian and Ukrainian native languages, more than 70% would support Independence. Among those who consider Russian their native language, 45% would support Ukraine’s Independence today, while only 30% would vote against it. The higher the level of patriotism among respondents, the more likely they are to support the proclamation of Ukraine’s Independence.
- Regionally, the dynamics of readiness to vote for Independence are positive: support increased significantly in all regions, including in the South (from 48% to 64%) and in the East (from 44% to 70%). As a year earlier, about one third of Donbas residents support Ukraine’s Independence, while the number of opponents decreased (from 57% to 34%) and the number of undecided increased (from 11% to 31%).
- An absolute majority of respondents (64%) primarily identify themselves as citizens of Ukraine. Half as many identify themselves as residents of their region, city or village (30%). 21% would identify themselves by nationality, and 17% would simply say “a human being.” 8% consider themselves Europeans, and the same share would identify themselves by their family role. 4% identify themselves as “a Soviet person” and 4% as “a citizen of the world.” About 3% would identify themselves by profession or religion.
- Over the past four years, identification as citizens of Ukraine and as Europeans has increased. At the same time, fewer respondents identify themselves as simply “a human being,” “a Soviet person,” or primarily through family role. “Citizen of Ukraine” is the dominant identity marker in all regions except Donbas, where the main identity marker remains “resident of one’s region, city or village.” Younger respondents and those with higher education are more likely to identify themselves as citizens of Ukraine. Rural residents are more likely to identify themselves as citizens of Ukraine or by nationality, while urban residents are more likely to say “resident of a region/city” or simply “a human being.” Identification as “European” is highest in the West and lowest in Donbas, and is more typical for younger and more educated respondents. Identification through family role is more typical in the Central region and among people with lower education. Identification as a “Soviet person” is more typical for residents of Donbas and the East, older people and those with lower education.
- The main sources of pride in their country and people are the place where respondents were born and raised (35%), the land and territory where they live (35%), their state (29%) and outstanding people of their nationality (28%). Hard work and ability to manage households were mentioned by 26%, language of their people by 23%, history and past by 22%, moral qualities of the people by 21%, songs, holidays and traditions by 19%. Slightly fewer mentioned the flag, coat of arms and anthem (14%), native nature (14%), religion and faith (14%), graves of ancestors and memory of them (12%), literature and arts (8%), sports victories (6%) and military strength of the state (2%).
- In recent years, Ukrainians have started to feel more pride in their land and territory, their state, their language and national symbols, while pride related to nature, traditions and sports victories decreased. Men are more likely to feel pride related to land, state and sports achievements. Women are more likely to feel pride related to people’s work ethic, traditions, literature and arts. Respondents with higher education more often feel pride in the state, people’s moral qualities and culture, while those with lower education more often mention history, traditions, religion and memory of ancestors. Urban residents more often mention people’s moral qualities, traditions, nature, literature and arts, while rural residents more often mention the state, language, work ethic, national symbols and religion.
Methodology
- Survey population: population of Ukraine aged 18 and over
- Sample size: 2,000 respondents
- Method: face-to-face interviews
- Margin of error (95% confidence):
- near 50%: ≤ 2.2%
- near 30%: ≤ 2%
- near 10%: ≤ 1.3%
- near 5%: ≤ 1%
- Fieldwork period: July 10 – 18, 2014
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