04.02.2020
Social and political sentiments of the population (January 22–26, 2020)
- The results of a survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” during January 22–26, 2020, demonstrated the predominance of expectations for change (50%) and hope (42%) among the population. At the same time, one third of respondents feel disappointment, one in five feel insecurity, tension, or indignation, and one in eight experience despair and confusion. Over the past two years, expectations for change and hope have increased in society, while disappointment, tension, and indignation have decreased. Positive emotions prevail among younger and more affluent respondents, while negative emotions are more common among older and poorer groups.
- The leader in terms of trust is President Volodymyr Zelenskyi: 59% trust him, while 32% do not. Trust in other key political figures has a negative balance: 26% trust Dmytro Razumkov and 44% do not; Yurii Boiko – 25% trust and 56% do not; Sviatoslav Vakarchuk – 22% trust and 62% do not; Oleksii Honcharuk – 20% trust and 53% do not; Yuliia Tymoshenko – 20% trust and 73% do not; Petro Poroshenko – 15% trust and 78% do not.
- The political party ratings are led by “Servant of the People,” supported by 42.2% of those who have decided and intend to vote. The “Opposition Platform – For Life” is supported by 13.5%, “European Solidarity” by 9.5%, and “Batkivshchyna” by 8.1%. Support for other parties is below 4%. About 16% of respondents remain undecided.
- Ending military hostilities in eastern Ukraine remains the key public demand addressed to the President (64%). Strengthening the fight against corruption is expected by 45%, revival of industry by 30%, raising social standards by 24%, and improving the quality of healthcare by 22%. In recent months, the importance of demands related to ending the war and reviving industry has increased.
- When choosing economic development priorities for allocating state resources, respondents tend to support the development of industry and investment (65%), while 28% favor increasing subsidies and social benefits.
- When choosing between raising salaries for medical workers and developing schools, hospitals, and introducing new technologies, 59% support the latter priority, while 29% favor increasing wages.
- Forty-five percent believe that the authorities should prioritize spending resources on supporting socially vulnerable groups, while almost the same share (46%) believe resources should be directed toward creating conditions that stimulate public activity.
- Forty-six percent believe the state should focus on identifying and punishing corrupt officials, while the same share argue that priority should be given to reducing opportunities for corruption.
- The main indicators of positive economic change, according to respondents, are the opening of new enterprises (54%) and the creation of new jobs (54%). One third believe improvement would be indicated by a reduction in labor migration abroad, one quarter by an increase in the minimum wage, and one in five by lower prices for basic goods.
- In the social sphere, key indicators of positive change include improved quality of healthcare (50%), increased pensions (41%), and greater support for socially vulnerable groups (36%). One quarter consider the construction of new schools, kindergartens, and hospitals an indicator of improvement, while one in five point to improved quality of education and increased life expectancy.
- Pensioners are considered the most vulnerable group requiring priority attention from the state (57%). Forty-two percent believe that people with disabilities or orphans should be prioritized, while 36% say low-income families should receive primary assistance. Around 22–24% mention large families and participants in military operations (ATO).
- Seventy-six percent of respondents watched President Zelenskyi’s New Year address. Among them, two thirds assessed it positively, 22% neutrally, and 13% negatively.
Methodology
- Audience: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and settlement type.
- Total sample: 2500 respondents. Personal formalized interview (face-to-face).
- The margin of error does not exceed 2.0%.
- Fieldwork dates: 22-26 January, 2020
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