26.12.2011
Ukrainians about New Year holidays
- According to a survey conducted by the Rating Group in December 2011, for 48% of respondents the most favorite winter holiday is New Year, while for 41% it is Christmas. Another 5% prefer St. Nicholas Day the most, and 2% – Old New Year. Only 1% of respondents do not like any of the winter holidays, and 2% were unable to determine which holiday they prefer.
- Regionally, Christmas is significantly more popular in the West of the country (66%). In the Center, New Year and Christmas are equally popular, while in the North, South, Donbas and East New Year is the most favorite holiday, as noted by up to 60% of respondents. The older the respondents are, the more they value Christmas; younger respondents prefer New Year. Men tend to prefer New Year, while women prefer Christmas. Religious respondents are much more likely to look forward to Christmas than New Year, especially Greek Catholics (73%), followed by Orthodox believers of the Moscow Patriarchate (49%) and the Kyiv Patriarchate (42%). Believers who do not associate themselves with any denomination (58%) and non-believers (73%) are much more likely to prefer New Year.
- 44% of respondents plan to put up a real Christmas tree at home for New Year, about a quarter plan to use an artificial tree, 15% will limit themselves to New Year decorative compositions, and 18% will most likely have neither a tree nor a decoration. The latter category is mostly represented by older people: almost 40% of respondents aged over 60 do not plan to decorate their homes for the winter holidays. At the same time, almost 60% of respondents aged 18–39 plan to put up a real tree, while almost 40% will use an artificial tree or a decorative composition. The tradition of installing a real tree is most widespread in the West, South and Donbas, while artificial trees are most common in the North (especially Kyiv) and in the Center. New Year decorative compositions are most popular in the East, where a large share of the population lives in urban areas.
- Respondents were also asked what they would wish for the Ukrainian state in 2012. The most common wishes were citizens’ welfare (68%), economic growth (62%) and stability (53%). Other frequently mentioned wishes included reducing corruption (46%), peace (45%), improving public health (44%) and responsible government (43%). 29% wished for fair elections, almost the same share wished for a qualitatively new government (29%) and national unity (28%). 24% wished for improvements in culture and education, and 21% wished for successful hosting of EURO 2012. Effective socio-economic reforms and new political leadership were equally important wishes, each receiving 20%. Smaller shares mentioned repayment of external debt (17%), democratic development (16%), stronger international reputation (14%), strengthening independence (14%), higher birth rates (14%), responsible citizens (13%), sports achievements (12%), a qualitatively new opposition (11%) and secure borders (9%).
- Age differences in responses were minimal, but regional differences were observed. Residents of the East and Donbas more often wished for welfare, economic growth, stability, reduced corruption and improved public health. Residents of the Center more often wished for peace. Residents of the North more often wished for external debt repayment, higher birth rates, sports achievements, new political leaders and a qualitatively new opposition. Donbas residents more often wished for a qualitatively new and responsible government. Residents of the West more often wished for national unity, spiritual development, democratic development, stronger international reputation and stronger independence. Residents of the East more often wished for effective socio-economic reforms. At the same time, respondents from the West, North and East were united by the wish to improve culture and education. Respondents from the East and West were united by the wish for successful hosting of EURO 2012. The wish for fair elections united respondents across all regions of the country.
Methodology
- Survey population: population of Ukraine aged 18 and over
- Sample size: 2,000 respondentsMethod: 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: November 25 – December 5, 2011
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