Press releases

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of June 20–28, 2020, among residents of Mariupol demonstrated that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the general situation in the country. Thus, only 16% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 63% hold the opposite opinion. At the same time, 53% assess the situation in the city as going in the right direction, while 28% assess it as going in the wrong direction. Over the past year, assessments of the situation in the country have slightly worsened, while assessments regarding the city have improved.
• Fifty-three percent of respondents expressed a definite readiness to participate in local elections if they were held in the near future. Among political forces, the leader is the Boichenko Bloc party, which would be supported by 39.2% of those who have decided and intend to vote. The Opposition Platform – For Life party would receive 26.7% of the vote, the Servant of the People party 9.7%, the Shariy Party 7.4%, and the Opposition Bloc party 5.9%. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 10% of respondents remain undecided.
• Among candidates for mayor, the leader in the rating is Vadym Boichenko, who is supported by 77.9% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. The ratings of other candidates are significantly lower: 5.5% would vote for Yu. Ternavskyi, 4.7% for M. Borodin, 3.1% for Yu. Khotlubey, 2.2% for V. Abroskin, and 1% for M. Tkach. The ratings of other candidates are below 1%. The share of undecided respondents is 12–13%.
• Renovation of parks and public gardens (60%) and the quality of public transport (51%) are the areas that, in the opinion of respondents, are associated with the greatest successes of the incumbent mayor. Thirty-seven percent consider the renovation of sidewalks and adjacent residential areas to be a success, 32% the quality of roads, 26% the solution of waste collection and disposal problems, and 22% street lighting.
• Among housing and communal services problems, city residents are most concerned about water supply issues (30%), the quality of building maintenance services (28%), inter-yard access roads (23%), the condition of elevators (20%), and electricity supply (19%).
• A relative majority of city residents, given a choice, would like to work in public service (14%). One in ten would like to work in trade, metallurgy, tourism, construction and repair, while 5–7% would choose employment in catering, education, services, healthcare, the entertainment industry, the IT sector, or farming. Younger respondents aged 18–35 more often expressed a desire to work in public service. Representatives of this age group also more often chose such sectors as catering, services, the entertainment industry, and information technology. At the same time, sectors such as trade, tourism, and construction and repair were chosen both by young respondents and by those in the middle age group.
• Half of respondents believe that a sufficient level of monthly salary for living in Mariupol is more than UAH 15,000. One third believe that UAH 10,000 to 15,000 is sufficient. Sixteen percent are willing to receive less than UAH 10,000. The latter group is more common among the oldest respondents, those with lower incomes, and those who are not employed.
• Thirty-eight percent indicated that they would like to engage in entrepreneurship. Eight percent stated that they already have their own business. At the same time, half of respondents did not express such a desire. This group is largest among the oldest respondents. By contrast, two thirds of the younger generation are ready to engage in their own business.
• Forty-two percent reported that they personally, or their close relatives, had contacted primary healthcare centers (outpatient clinics, polyclinics) over the past year. Among them, the territorial accessibility of medical institutions received the highest evaluations. Respondents also gave positive assessments of the attitude of medical staff toward patients, the condition of premises, and the competence of doctors. The waiting time to see doctors and the effectiveness of treatment were assessed somewhat worse.
• One third of respondents reported that they personally, or their close relatives, had sought inpatient hospital care during the past year. Among them, the attitude of doctors toward patients received the highest evaluations. Positive assessments were also given to the attitude of junior medical staff toward patients and the competence of doctors. The effectiveness of treatment and the condition of premises were assessed somewhat worse.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of June 1–14, 2020, among residents of Kirovohrad region demonstrated that respondents assess the local situation significantly better than the general situation in the region or in the country. Thus, only 22% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 59% hold the opposite view. Twenty-five percent assess the situation in the region as going in the right direction, while 51% assess it as going in the wrong direction. At the same time, 38% of region residents believe that things in their localities are going in the right direction, while 48% hold the opposite view. Over the past one and a half years, assessments of the situation at all levels have somewhat improved.
• Among local politicians, respondents have the most positive attitude toward S. Larin: 25% positive, only 13% negative, 25% neutral, while 37% do not know him. Attitudes toward A. Raikovych are positive among 21%, negative among 10%, neutral among 15%, while 54% do not know him. Toward S. Kuzmenko, 19% have a positive attitude, 8% a negative one, 19% a neutral one, and 55% do not know him. Toward O. Chornoivanenko, 10% have a positive attitude, 6% a negative one, 15% a neutral one, and 69% do not know him. More than 70% of respondents do not know other politicians.
• Forty-four percent positively assess the activities of President Zelenskyy, while 44% assess them negatively. Only 15% are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, 48% are dissatisfied, and 37% were unable to assess. Only 13% are satisfied with the Verkhovna Rada, while 73% are dissatisfied. More than one third of respondents were unable to assess the work of the Kirovohrad Regional State Administration and the Regional Council. Satisfaction with the activities of these institutions is at the level of 22–24%, while dissatisfaction is around 40%.
• Support for cultural events is the sphere with which respondents are relatively more satisfied (41% satisfied, 47% dissatisfied). Regarding other spheres, respondents more often gave negative assessments. Thus, 59% are dissatisfied with the development of agriculture, while 31% are satisfied. Fifty-two percent are dissatisfied with school education, while 29% are satisfied. About two thirds of respondents are dissatisfied with road conditions, safety of life, environmental conditions, social protection, and support for youth. More than 70% are dissatisfied with industrial development, healthcare, and the fight against corruption at the local level.
• The lack of jobs and unemployment (52%) and the military conflict in the east of the country (50%) top the ranking of nationwide problems among respondents. The inability to receive quality medical care, low wages and pensions, and bribery and corruption in government concern about one quarter of respondents.
• The ranking of personal problems is led by low wages and pensions (35%) and unemployment (33%). The military conflict in the east and the inability to receive quality medical care are considered personal problems by about one quarter of respondents. Increases in utility tariffs personally concern every fifth respondent.
• The leaders in the party rating for elections to the regional council are the Servant of the People party, which would be supported by 31.1% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. Thirteen point four percent would vote for the Opposition Platform – For Life party, 12.2% for the Batkivshchyna party, 7.0% for European Solidarity, 5.8% for a party led by S. Kuzmenko and A. Raikovych, 5.8% for the Radical Party of Liashko, 3.8% for the Ukrainian Strategy party, 2.9% for the Shariy Party, and 2.1% for the Strength and Honor party. The ratings of other political forces are below 2%. About one quarter remain undecided.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of June 1–14, 2020, among residents of Oleksandriia demonstrated that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the general situation in the region or in the country. Thus, only 13% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 65% hold the opposite view. Seventeen percent assess the situation in the city as going in the right direction, while 46% assess it as going in the wrong direction. At the same time, 41% of city residents believe that things in the city are going in the right direction, while 43% hold the opposite view.
• Among local politicians, residents have the most positive attitude toward S. Kuzmenko: 60% positive, only 5% negative, and 20% neutral. Attitudes toward S. Larin are positive among 18%, negative among 13%, neutral among 22%, while 48% do not know him. More than 80% of respondents do not know other politicians.
• Thirty-eight percent positively assess the activities of President Zelenskyy, while 47% assess them negatively. Only 8% are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, 52% are dissatisfied, and 40% were unable to assess. Only 8% are satisfied with the Verkhovna Rada, while 74% are dissatisfied. More than half of respondents were unable to assess the work of the Kirovohrad Regional State Administration and the Regional Council. Seventeen percent are satisfied with the activities of these institutions, while about one third are dissatisfied.
• The lack of jobs and unemployment (61%) and the military conflict in the east of the country (47%) top the ranking of nationwide problems among city residents. The inability to receive quality medical care and low wages and pensions concern one quarter of residents. Bribery and corruption in government, as well as rising crime, are considered nationwide problems by every fifth respondent.
• The ranking of personal problems is led by unemployment (43%). The military conflict in the east and low wages and pensions are considered personal problems by about one third of respondents. The inability to receive quality medical care personally concerns every fourth respondent, while increases in utility tariffs concern every fifth.
• Sixty percent of respondents are satisfied with the work of the mayor, while 29% are dissatisfied. Thirty-nine percent are satisfied with the city council, while 33% are dissatisfied. Forty-five percent are satisfied with public transport in the city, while 32% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with the work of educational institutions stands at 35%, dissatisfaction at 37%, while 29% were unable to assess this sphere. Satisfaction with municipal services (housing maintenance offices, urban improvement, lighting, etc.) is at 31%, while dissatisfaction is at 55%. Twenty-four percent are satisfied with the police, while 49% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with medical institutions stands at 19%, while dissatisfaction reaches 68%.
• The cost of utility services (46%) and drug addiction and alcoholism (38%) top the ranking of problems that concern city residents the most. One quarter of respondents are concerned about stray animals on the streets. Every fifth respondent is concerned about corruption in city authorities and the low professional level of medical staff. Eighteen percent are concerned about waste collection and disposal.
• The quality of roads (44%) and street lighting (38%) are the areas that, in the opinion of respondents, are associated with the greatest successes of the current mayor. Twenty-seven percent consider the renovation of parks and public gardens to be a success, while 23% point to the solution of waste collection and disposal problems.
• The creation of jobs (43%) and improvement of the work of medical institutions (33%), in the opinion of respondents, should become priority tasks for city authorities. Every fifth respondent expects the municipality to combat drug addiction and alcoholism, improve the quality of housing and communal services, and fight corruption, while 18% expect better social protection for low-income groups. Fifteen to sixteen percent expect better performance of educational institutions, attraction of investment to the city, and improved road quality.
• Among candidates for mayor, the leaders in the rating are Serhii Kuzmenko, who is supported by 35.1% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections, and Stepan Tsapiuk, who would be supported by 32.9% of such respondents. Six point four percent would support V. Dozhdzhanik, 6.2% S. Kovalenko, and 4.1% Yu. Shkliaruk. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 13% remain undecided.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if the two rating leaders, S. Tsapiuk and S. Kuzmenko, were to advance to the runoff, the latter would win with a result of 48% versus 33%.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of June 1–14, 2020, among residents of Kropyvnytskyi demonstrated that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the general situation in the region or in the country. Thus, only 22% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 63% hold the opposite view. Twenty-nine percent assess the situation in the city as going in the right direction, while 50% assess it as going in the wrong direction. At the same time, 43% of city residents believe that things in the city are going in the right direction, while the same share hold the opposite view.
• Among local politicians, city residents have the most positive attitude toward A. Raikovych: 49% positive, 23% neutral, and 19% negative. Attitudes toward S. Larin are positive among 36%, negative among 18%, neutral among 25%, while 21% do not know him. Toward S. Kuzmenko, 17% have a positive attitude, 8% a negative one, 24% a neutral one, and 51% do not know him. Toward O. Chornoivanenko, 13% have a positive attitude, 10% a negative one, 21% a neutral one, and 58% do not know him. Toward A. Nikolaienko, 11% have a positive attitude, 13% a negative one, 18% a neutral one, and 59% do not know him. Toward A. Balon, 6% have a positive attitude, 6% a negative one, 18% a neutral one, and 70% do not know him.
• Forty-two percent positively assess the activities of President Zelenskyy, while 46% assess them negatively. Sixteen percent are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, 47% are dissatisfied, and 37% were unable to assess. Only 14% are satisfied with the Verkhovna Rada, while 65% are dissatisfied. About one third of respondents were unable to assess the work of the Kirovohrad Regional State Administration and the Regional Council. Satisfaction with the activities of these institutions is at the level of 32–33%, while dissatisfaction is at 36–38%.
• The military conflict in the East of the country (52%) and the lack of jobs and unemployment (44%) top the ranking of nationwide problems among city residents. Low wages and pensions, the inability to receive quality medical care, and bribery and corruption in government concern one third of residents. Increases in utility tariffs, an insufficient level of social protection, and rising crime are considered nationwide problems by 12–14% of respondents.
• At the same time, the ranking of personal problems is led by low wages and pensions at 40%. Increases in utility tariffs, the inability to receive quality medical care, and the military conflict in the East are considered personal problems by about one third of respondents. Lack of employment, bribery and corruption in government, as well as rising prices for basic goods personally concern about 20% of respondents.
• Fifty-five percent of respondents are satisfied with the work of the mayor, while 30% are dissatisfied. Thirty-eight percent are satisfied with the city council, while 41% are dissatisfied. Sixty-one percent are satisfied with public transport in the city, while 29% are dissatisfied; satisfaction with the work of educational institutions stands at 38%, dissatisfaction at 37%, while 26% were unable to assess this sphere. Thirty-two percent are satisfied with the work of the police, while 49% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with municipal services (housing maintenance offices, urban improvement, lighting, etc.) is at 26%, while dissatisfaction is at 65%. Satisfaction with medical institutions stands at 19%, while dissatisfaction reaches 73%.
• Fifty-one percent of respondents believe that during the term of the current mayor the situation in the city has generally improved. Only 7% observed deterioration, while 34% believe it has not changed. Fifty-three percent of respondents noted that the mayor effectively responds to the coronavirus threat in the city, while 19% hold the opposite view. About 40% of respondents spoke of an effective response to the pandemic by city medical institutions and law enforcement agencies.
• The cost of utility services (44%) and drug addiction and alcoholism (39%) top the ranking of problems that concern city residents the most. One third of respondents are concerned about stray animals on the streets and corruption in city authorities, while one quarter are concerned about the poor condition of city roads or waste collection and disposal.
• The quality of public transport (43%), the quality of roads (34%), and street lighting (24%) are the areas that, in the opinion of respondents, are associated with the greatest successes of the current mayor. Eighteen percent consider the renovation of parks and public gardens to be a success, 14% the repair of sidewalks and adjacent residential areas, and 12% the solution of traffic congestion problems in the city.
• Improving the work of medical institutions (42%) and creating jobs (34%) should, in the opinion of respondents, become priority tasks for city authorities. One quarter of respondents expect the municipality to improve the quality of roads, housing and communal services, the work of educational institutions, the fight against corruption, and better social protection for low-income groups.
• Among candidates for mayor, the leader in the rating is Andrii Raikovych, who is supported by 38.7% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. Eighteen point eight percent would support A. Stryzhakov, 12.0% A. Larin, 5.2% O. Tsertii, and 4.1% O. Horbunov. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. The share of undecided respondents is 14–15%.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if A. Raikovych were to advance to the runoff against other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a pair with A. Stryzhakov, the result would be 45% versus 30%, and in a pair with O. Horbunov, 52% versus 14%. At the same time, it should be taken into account that from one quarter to one third of respondents have not yet decided on their choice or do not want to participate in voting in the indicated runoff combinations.
• Assessment of the chances of different candidates demonstrated that 53% of respondents, when choosing a city mayor, could support the incumbent mayor. Thirty-seven percent could support a self-nominated candidate, while 36% would not. Thirty-five percent could support a candidate nominated by a local party, while 37% would not. Thirty-one percent could support a candidate nominated by the Servant of the People party, while 52% would not.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of May 29 – June 2, 2020, among residents of Odesa demonstrated that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the general situation in the country. Thus, only 29% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 59% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 49% assess the situation in the city as going in the right direction, while 41% assess it as going in the wrong direction.
• Residents of Odesa are more satisfied with the activities of local authorities than with those of the central government. Fifty-six percent of respondents are satisfied with the activities of the Mayor of Odesa, H. Trukhanov, while 31% are dissatisfied. Forty-four percent said they are satisfied with the work of President V. Zelenskyy, while 48% expressed the opposite assessments.
• Among local politicians, residents of Odesa have the most positive attitude toward H. Trukhanov: 60% positive, 28% negative, and 11% were unable to assess. Attitudes toward S. Kivalov are positive among 36%, negative among 41%, 10% do not know him, and 13% were unable to assess. Toward M. Saakashvili, 28% have a positive attitude, 51% a negative one, 17% were unable to assess, and only 5% do not know him. Toward M. Skoryk, 27% have a positive attitude, 23% a negative one, 38% do not know him, and 12% hesitated with their assessment. Toward S. Hrynevetskyi, 26% have a positive attitude, 17% a negative one, 43% do not know him, and 14% were unable to assess. Toward E. Hurvits, 25% have a positive attitude, 46% a negative one, 16% do not know him, and 14% hesitated with their assessment. Toward D. Spivak, 21% have a positive attitude, 13% a negative one, 54% do not know him, and 12% hesitated with their assessment. Toward A. Kivan, 17% have a positive attitude, 32% a negative one, 36% do not know him, and 15% were unable to assess at all. Toward A. Kisse, 13% have a positive attitude, 24% a negative one, 48% do not know him, and 14% hesitated with their assessment. More than 70% of respondents do not know other politicians.
• Among candidates for mayor, the leader in the rating is H. Trukhanov, who would be supported by 48.7% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. Thirteen point seven percent would support M. Saakashvili, 8.5% S. Kivalov, 7.0% O. Leonov, 5.3% D. Spivak, 5.1% T. Plachkova, and 4.1% E. Hurvits. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if H. Trukhanov were to advance to the runoff against any of the other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a pair with O. Leonov, the result would be 60% versus 18%; with T. Plachkova, 61% versus 14%; with M. Saakashvili, 59% versus 22%; and with D. Spivak, 57% versus 17%. At the same time, it should be taken into account that up to one quarter of respondents have not yet decided on their choice or do not want to participate in voting in the indicated runoff combinations.
• Fifty-nine percent of respondents believe that the new Odesa City Council should consist of experienced deputies and managers. At the same time, 23% want new faces to come to power. Demand for new faces is higher among younger and more affluent respondents.
• Fifty-two percent of respondents, when choosing a mayor, would rather support a candidate who proposes to solve the city’s current problems, while 33% are ready to vote for a candidate who would propose a development strategy for Odesa. The latter position is more common among affluent respondents. Fifty-seven percent expect a mayoral candidate primarily to take care of socially vulnerable groups, while 26% want support for business development. The latter demand is higher among respondents aged 30–49 and those with medium and high income.
• Fifty-six percent of respondents noted that they usually receive information about events in the city from online news websites. Forty-four percent receive information from television and the same share from social media. Twenty-six percent get information from groups and channels in messengers, and 20% from relatives and acquaintances. Only 11% receive information from newspapers and 9% from radio. Online resources and social media are used more often by respondents in younger and middle age groups, while television, newspapers, and radio are used more often by older respondents. At the same time, at least 40% of the latter read online news websites, and one quarter use social media.

• According to the results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of May 12–13, 2020, one third of the population assess the direction in which the country is moving as right, while half assess it as wrong, and another 17% were unable to answer. Younger respondents, supporters of President Zelenskyy, and supporters of the Servant of the People party assess the situation more positively.
• Thirty-five percent believe that the coronavirus situation in Ukraine is currently improving, the same share believe that it is not changing, and 17% see a deterioration. Over the past two weeks, the share of those who say that the coronavirus situation is worsening has decreased almost threefold, from 44% to 17%.
• The trust rating among politicians is led by V. Zelenskyy, whom 57% of citizens trust and 37% do not trust. More than one third of respondents were unable to assess their level of trust in politicians D. Razumkov and D. Shmyhal. Overall, 25% trust D. Razumkov and 33% do not, while only 14% trust the incumbent Prime Minister and 39% do not. Distrust clearly prevails toward all other politicians: Y. Boiko is trusted by 25% and not trusted by 57%, S. Vakarchuk by 24% and 61%, Y. Tymoshenko by 22% and 72%, and P. Poroshenko by 20% and 76%.
• The parliamentary rating is led by the Servant of the People party, which would be supported by 34% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. The Opposition Platform – For Life party would receive 15.1%, European Solidarity 14.0%, Batkivshchyna 9.2%, Strength and Honor 4.7%, and the Radical Party 4.0%. About 3% each are ready to support the Shariy Party, Groysman’s Ukrainian Strategy, Svoboda, and Holos.
• If presidential elections were held in the near future, 39.3% would vote for V. Zelenskyy among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. Thirteen point nine percent would support Y. Boiko, 13.3% P. Poroshenko, 8.6% Y. Tymoshenko, and 5.9% I. Smeshko. Support for other candidates is below 5%. About 8% remain undecided. Almost as a year ago, if V. Zelenskyy and P. Poroshenko were to advance to the second round today, 75% of voters would support the incumbent President and 25% would vote for P. Poroshenko. Similar results would be observed if Y. Boiko and Y. Tymoshenko advanced to the second round.
• Overall, among all presidents of independent Ukraine, 20% consider L. Kuchma to have been the best. Sixteen percent believe that V. Zelenskyy is the best president, 13% consider L. Kravchuk the best, 12% P. Poroshenko, 9% V. Yanukovych, and only 6% V. Yushchenko. At the same time, 14% said that none of them was the best, and another 10% were unable to answer. Residents of the southern and eastern regions more often chose L. Kuchma and V. Yanukovych, while residents of the western and central regions more often chose P. Poroshenko. V. Zelenskyy was more often chosen by younger respondents, and L. Kravchuk by older respondents.
• Respondents relatively more often characterized the periods of the presidencies of L. Kuchma and V. Zelenskyy as eras of development in Ukraine. The years of V. Yushchenko’s presidency were more often described as stagnation, while the periods of V. Yanukovych’s and P. Poroshenko’s presidencies were described as decline. Assessments on this scale show clear regional differences: residents of the East and South more often gave negative assessments when speaking about the presidencies of V. Yushchenko and P. Poroshenko, while residents of the West and Center more often assessed the presidency of V. Yanukovych as a period of decline.
• One third of respondents assess the first year of President Zelenskyy’s presidency as excellent or good, almost 40% as satisfactory, and about one third as unsatisfactory or terrible. Relatively worse assessments were given by respondents from the East, residents of cities, older respondents, and voters of P. Poroshenko and Y. Boiko. At the same time, youth and residents of the South, Center, and West gave relatively better assessments.
• The release of prisoners and hostages, as well as the fight against coronavirus, are the areas in which respondents gave the highest assessments for the first year of President Zelenskyy.
• Relatively average assessments were given to such areas as national unity, international policy, strengthening defense capabilities, social protection of the population, renewal of personnel in government, and education reform.
• At the same time, respondents assessed most negatively the reduction of oligarchs’ influence on politics, land and healthcare reforms, the fight against corruption, economic development, and the ceasefire in Donbas. Poor assessments across various areas were most often given by supporters of Y. Boiko and P. Poroshenko. At the same time, in such areas as the fight against corruption, healthcare and land reforms, and reducing the influence of oligarchs on politics, negative assessments were also given by no fewer than one third of supporters of the incumbent Head of State.

• According to the results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 24–25, 2020, 68% frequently follow news about the coronavirus, 19% do so occasionally, and 9% rarely. Five percent are not interested in such news at all. Older respondents, women, and less affluent respondents follow coronavirus news more often.
• Forty-three percent of Ukrainians believe that the coronavirus situation in Ukraine is deteriorating, while 33% believe it is not changing. Only 15% believe that the situation is improving. The more often people follow the news, the stronger their belief that the coronavirus situation is worsening.
• Sixty-one percent of respondents assess the measures introduced by the authorities to combat the coronavirus as optimal. Fourteen percent consider them too strict, while 16% consider them too lenient. Over the past two weeks, these indicators have not changed; however, over the past month, the share of respondents who consider the authorities’ actions to be too lenient has almost halved. Residents of the East, men, younger respondents, and those who follow coronavirus news less often or not at all more frequently assess the restrictive measures as too strict.
• Despite quarantine, 29% of respondents reported leaving home several times a day, while 23% leave home once a day. At the same time, 37% stated that they go out only once every few days, and 11% try not to leave home at all. Over the past two weeks, the number of those who leave home more often has noticeably increased, in particular the share of respondents who go out several times a day rose from 19% to 29%. Women, the oldest respondents, and the poorest respondents stay at home more often. At the same time, the less respondents watch the news, the more often they leave home during quarantine.
• Forty-nine percent stated that the quality of state medical services over the past two years has rather deteriorated. Thirty-three percent believe it has remained at the same level, and only 12% have seen improvement. Over the past year, the share of those who report deterioration in medical services has increased from 37% to 49%. Deterioration is more often reported by residents of the South and East, older and poorer respondents, as well as women.
• Forty-three percent stated that the quality of state medical services over the past six months has remained at the same level. Thirty-three percent believe it has rather deteriorated, while 11% believe it has rather improved. Over time, the share of those giving positive assessments of the quality of medical services over six months has decreased.
• Among healthcare sector leaders, 41% trust the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, while 31% do not trust him, and 19% do not know him. Twenty-five percent trust the current Minister of Health, Maksym Stepanov, while 26% do not trust him, and 38% do not know him. As for former Ministers of Health, 19% trust Ulana Suprun and 63% do not, while 13% do not know her; 16% trust Illia Yemets and 33% do not, while 41% do not know him; 13% trust Zoriana Skaletska and 39% do not, while 41% do not know her.
• Three quarters of respondents plan to stay at home during the May holidays. Seventeen percent intend to do household work, 8% plan to visit relatives or close ones, 5% plan to spend time with friends or acquaintances, and 1% plan to travel within the country. A desire to do household work was more often expressed by residents of the West and Center and by rural residents. Visiting relatives and close ones is more common among younger respondents, men, and more affluent respondents.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of March 13–21, 2020, among residents of Rivne demonstrated that 32% of respondents assess the direction of affairs in the city as right, while 44% assess it as wrong. The direction of development in Ukraine is assessed more negatively: 27% consider it right and 51% wrong. In dynamics, compared to the post-election period, pessimistic sentiments regarding the development of both the country and the city have intensified. Optimism prevails among younger and more affluent residents. Regarding the development of the country, voters of the Servant of the People party assess it relatively better, while voters of European Solidarity and the Opposition Platform – For Life assess it the worst. Regarding the state of local affairs, optimists are relatively more common among voters of the Servant of the People and European Solidarity parties, while pessimists are more common among supporters of Svoboda, Batkivshchyna, and the Opposition Platform – For Life parties.
• Almost 40% of respondents are satisfied with the work of the Mayor of Rivne, while 48% are dissatisfied; satisfaction with the city council stands at 36%, while dissatisfaction reaches 44%. The work of public transport received the best assessments: 62% are satisfied and 30% dissatisfied. Almost half of respondents are satisfied with educational institutions, while 27% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction with municipal services stands at 41%, dissatisfaction at 51%. Medical institutions are positively assessed by 36% and negatively by 52%.
• Sixty-six percent reported a definite readiness to participate in possible elections to the Verkhovna Rada. The leader of electoral preferences is the Servant of the People party, which would be supported by 36.1% of those who have decided and intend to vote. European Solidarity would receive 14.7%, the Opposition Platform – For Life 8.2%, Strength and Honor 6.5%, Svoboda 6.0%, Batkivshchyna 5.8%, and Holos 4.5%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. At the same time, almost one quarter of respondents remain undecided.
• Among respondents, there is a high demand for a mayoral candidate with significant experience in municipal governance. Eighty percent would like the mayor to be more of a manager than a politician. Voters are more likely to prefer a candidate who is a strong personality, regardless of party affiliation. Party branding is clearly important only for every fifth voter.
• At this stage, 44% would rather vote for a candidate who supports the course of President Zelenskyy, while 24% would vote for an opposition candidate. The latter are most concentrated among supporters of European Solidarity and Svoboda.
• City residents believe that the priority tasks for the authorities should primarily concern medical institutions (44%) and the quality of housing and communal services (35%). Another 27% consider job creation and road quality important, while 20–22% point to educational institutions and the fight against corruption. Fourteen to seventeen percent identify social protection of low-income groups, waste collection and disposal, the quality of public transport, and attracting investment to the city as priorities.
• Respondents consider the military conflict in the East to be the most important problem for the country. At the same time, in the ranking of personal problems for city residents, the most important issue is low income, followed by the military conflict and rising utility tariffs.
• The biggest problem of the city, according to residents, is the cost of utility services (52%). About 27% identified poor road conditions, corruption in government, alcoholism, and drug addiction as problems, 23% pointed to waste collection, and about 15–17% chose stray animals on the streets and the low professional level of medical staff. Overall, socio-economic problems such as low wages and pensions and rising tariffs are felt more acutely by older and less affluent residents.
• Fifty-four percent consider the coronavirus to be a real threat personally to themselves and their families, while 39% believe it does not threaten them. Fear of the virus is more prevalent among women and older respondents, and somewhat more often among those who have young children.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 10–12, 2020, once again recorded the presence among respondents of signs of depression, anxiety, panic, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Comparing the results with the previous two waves (Wave I – March 27–28; Wave II – April 3–4), a slight increase in depression and a decrease in anxiety are observed. Levels of panic, fatigue, and sleep disorders remained at the same level.
• The increase in the level of depression is likely related to physical restrictions (low mobility, reduced activity) and the lack of a sufficient number of external stimuli such as new impressions, events, and the intensity of interaction with others. Life during quarantine is often a “Groundhog Day,” a monotonous uniformity that leads to lower mood and lethargy. In addition, depression is strongly associated with fatigue (the higher the level of fatigue, the higher the level of depression) and with sleep disorders in the same way. The detected anxiety is situational (arising as a result of exposure to unusual environmental stress factors), unlike trait anxiety, which is a constant psychological characteristic of individuals. The decrease in such anxiety is likely related to adaptation to new conditions and a reduction in the sense of uncertainty. Quarantine has ceased to be an unfamiliar phenomenon, and it is precisely such unfamiliar phenomena that cause anxiety. The level of panic overall has remained at very moderate levels since the beginning of quarantine, and further growth now appears unlikely, as this state arises in response to a real or perceived serious threat and is associated with strong negative experiences regarding an unusual situation. Moreover, panic in a psychologically healthy person is a short-term state lasting from several minutes to several days, which have already passed since the beginning of quarantine.
• Age. In dynamics, an increase in sleep disorders is noticeable among representatives of middle age groups (30–49 years) and an increase in fatigue among respondents of pre-retirement age (50–59 years). At the same time, among the latter, a decrease in the level of anxiety is recorded. The same trend is observed among the oldest respondents.
• Gender. Women continue to demonstrate higher levels of all emotional indicators than men. In dynamics over this period, women show a decrease in anxiety levels, indicating better adaptation and adjustment to changes. Among men, an increase in indicators of depression and sleep disorders is recorded, which are strongly interconnected.
• Employment. Among those who have a job, lower levels of sleep disorders and depression are observed than among those who work at least partially remotely. Work helps diversify life during quarantine, partially maintain activity, communication, and interaction, distract from negative thoughts, and maintain a more stable daily routine. At the same time, fatigue indices are practically the same across all categories. In addition, among those who work remotely, levels of anxiety and panic are higher than among those who go to work, since remote work is an unusual situation that required adaptation, many processes are still not established, and there are tasks that are generally impossible to perform remotely or whose quality of performance is reduced. Those who have the opportunity to go to work have retained a larger part of their usual life and work interaction than those who work remotely.
• Locus of control. Attitudes toward life circumstances and control over them have a significant impact on the formation of the psycho-emotional state. Internals, who take responsibility for successes and failures and life events upon themselves, feel significantly better and have lower levels across all indicators, especially depression. Externals, who attribute responsibility for their lives to external factors, on the contrary, demonstrate fairly high levels of psycho-emotional tension.
• The family atmosphere is an important factor influencing the psycho-emotional state of respondents. Tension in family relationships is relatively more often observed in the 30–39 age group, who usually have preschool or primary school-aged children, creating additional tension and burden, as organizing family life with children during quarantine is more difficult for them. At the same time, representatives of older age groups are the calmest.
• Among those who characterized family relationships as calm, the level of negative emotions and states is significantly lower than among others. In this case, the family acts as a support resource during quarantine and helps reduce tension and stress. The psycho-emotional state of those who believe that their family relationships are of a mixed nature is similar to that of those who have no relationships at all. The exception is the level of anxiety, which is higher among those in relationships. Among those who are not in relationships, anxiety is at the same level as among those who consider their relationships calm.
• It is important to emphasize that among those who are in tense relationships, the level of negative psycho-emotional states is very high. In their case, the family, on the contrary, acts as an additional irritant and stressor, does not provide support or a sense of security. Moreover, during quarantine there are few opportunities to spend less time in families with tense relationships, as prolonged co-presence becomes an additional factor exacerbating an already conflict-prone atmosphere. It can be assumed that this group represents a risk group in the post-quarantine period in terms of a potential increase in the number of divorces.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 13–16, 2020, among residents of Ternopil demonstrated that 49% of respondents perceive the coronavirus as a real threat personally for themselves and their families, while 45% hold the opposite view.
• Fifty-five percent reported that they had a job before the introduction of quarantine. Among them, 21% stated that they continue working in their usual mode after the introduction of restrictions, 17% work remotely, 15% are on unpaid leave by their own choice, and only 2% have lost their jobs.
• Despite the quarantine, 13% of respondents stated that they leave home several times a day, and 30% once a day. At the same time, 48% reported that they go out only once every few days, while 8% try not to go out at all. Women and the oldest respondents more often reported a high level of restrictions on leaving home.
• Sixty-nine percent stated that they have protective masks in sufficient quantity, 27% have them but not enough, and 4% do not have them at all. Among those who have masks in sufficient quantity, an absolute majority wear them frequently when going outside, at about 90%.
• Ninety-seven percent support the introduction of a mandatory requirement to wear masks in public places. Seventy-four percent do not object to restrictions on visiting parks, forest belts, and coastal areas during quarantine, while 21% are opposed. Opposition is somewhat more common among younger respondents and men.
• Sixty-seven percent of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus to be optimal. Twenty percent believe they are too lenient. Only 7% are convinced that the measures are too strict.
• Fifty-one percent of respondents consider the reaction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the threat of the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine to be effective, while 27% give opposite assessments. Regarding the Ministry of Health, 45% consider the actions of the institution effective, 33% ineffective, and 22% were unable to answer. As for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 44% consider its actions effective, 30% ineffective, and 26% were unable to assess. The effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was more difficult for respondents to assess: 43% did not answer this question, 33% assessed his actions as effective, and 25% as ineffective.
• Seventy-eight percent of respondents consider the actions of the Mayor of Ternopil, Serhii Nadal, in responding to the coronavirus threat to be effective, while only 10% hold the opposite view. The activities of the city’s medical institutions are considered effective by 48%, ineffective by 16%, while 36% were unable to assess them. Half of respondents hesitated in their answers when assessing the effectiveness of the Head of the Ternopil Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Trush, in combating the coronavirus threat. Thirty-two percent consider his actions effective, and 19% ineffective.
• The leaders of electoral sympathies in elections to the city council are the Svoboda All-Ukrainian Union party, supported by 22.9% of those who have decided and intend to participate in elections, European Solidarity with 21.7%, and Servant of the People with 21.3%. Nine point three percent would vote for Batkivshchyna, 5.9% for Holos, and 4.1% for Civic Position. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 40% of respondents remain undecided.
• The leader among candidates for the position of Mayor of Ternopil is Serhii Nadal. If elections were held in the near future, about 70% of those who have decided and intend to participate in voting would support him. Five point nine percent would vote for Stepan Barna, 5.5% for Andrii Bohdanets, and 4.8% for Petro Landiak. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 20% of respondents remain undecided.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections produced the following results: if Serhii Nadal and other candidates from political parties were to advance to the runoff, the incumbent mayor would confidently win in all combinations. In a pair with Stepan Barna, 68% of respondents are ready to support Serhii Nadal, compared to 9% for the candidate from European Solidarity. In a pair with Andrii Bohdanets from Servant of the People, the result would be 67% versus 9%, and in a pair with Bohdan Brych from Batkivshchyna, 71% versus 4% in favor of the Mayor of Ternopil.

The survey was conducted by Sociological Group “Rating” (Rating Group Ukraine) on behalf of the International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research.

This annual survey provides an extensive look at citizen attitudes about local governance and municipal services.
 
Polling was conducted in the 24 regional capitals of Ukraine not under the control of Russian or Russian-backed forces, including Mariupol and Sievierodonetsk in the Donbas region. The survey is based on a sample size of 19,200 respondents.
The margin of error for each city does not exceed ±3.5 points. Average response rate is 63.9%

The Sixth Nationwide Municipal Survey from Ratinggroup

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• The results of the surveys conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 10–12, 2020, demonstrated that 51% of respondents believe that the economic situation of their family has worsened over the past six months. Forty-two percent believe that it has not changed, while 6% have seen an improvement. At the same time, when assessing changes in their financial situation in the short term, 61% reported deterioration over the past month, 35% said they had not felt any changes, and only 3% reported improvement. Older and less affluent respondents were more pessimistic in their assessments.
• Speaking about the country’s economic prospects over the next six months, 68% believe that the situation will worsen, 13% think it will not change, and 9% expect improvement.
• Fifty-five percent of respondents consider the response of President Zelenskyy to the coronavirus threat in Ukraine to be effective, while 31% hold the opposite view. Regarding the Ministry of Health, 41% of respondents consider the actions of the institution effective, while 44% consider them ineffective. As for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 39% assess its actions as effective, 35% as ineffective, and 25% were unable to assess them. Concerning the effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, 43% of respondents found it difficult to answer this question; 28% assessed his actions as effective, while 29% assessed them as ineffective. Over the past two weeks, assessments of the effectiveness of the Head of State’s response to the coronavirus threat have not changed, while evaluations of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have improved.
• Sixty-one percent of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus to be optimal. Seventeen percent claim that they are too lenient, while 15% believe that the measures are too strict. Over the past two weeks, the share of those who consider the measures too lenient has decreased from 28% to 17%, while the share of those who consider them too strict has increased from 7% to 15%.
• Almost 70% consider the introduced quarantine to be effective, while one quarter give opposite assessments.
• Fifty-four percent of respondents positively assess the distance education project initiated by the President for school students during quarantine. Seventeen percent give neutral assessments, while 16% give negative ones. Only 9% have not heard about it, and 4% were unable to answer. Residents of the Center, older respondents, and more affluent respondents assess this initiative relatively better. Among supporters of political forces, the highest share of critics of this project is observed among sympathizers of Shariy’s party, the Radical Party, the Opposition Platform – For Life, and European Solidarity.
• More than half of respondents stated that they have restricted leaving home due to quarantine. One third reported adhering to partial restrictions. Only one in ten stated that they do not comply with quarantine. Over the past two weeks, these indicators have not changed. Full self-restriction is more often reported by residents of the West and Center, women, and representatives of the oldest age group.
• Despite quarantine, 19% of respondents stated that they leave home several times a day, and 29% once a day. At the same time, 42% reported that they go out only once every few days, while 10% try not to go out at all. Over the past two weeks, these indicators have not changed. A high level of restrictions on leaving home is more often reported by women, the oldest, and the least affluent respondents.
• Among those who had a job before the introduction of quarantine, 40% stated that they continue working in their usual mode after the introduction of restrictions. Twenty-three percent work remotely, 11% went on leave, 18% are on unpaid leave by their own choice, and 8% lost their jobs.
• Fifty-five percent of respondents stated that, in the event of cessation of income, their savings would last less than one month. Seventeen percent said their savings would last up to two months, 8% up to three months, and 9% up to six months or more. At the same time, 82% reported that they have started saving money during quarantine, while 16% said they have not. The latter are more common among men and more affluent citizens.
• A relative majority of respondents, 37%, stated that in the event of losing a source of income they would most likely look for a job or side work. Fifteen percent would try to borrow from relatives or close contacts, 10% stated they would take part in protests or riots, and 4% are ready to take loans from financial institutions. Fourteen percent gave other answers, 16% stated that they could not face a situation of income loss, and 13% were unable to say how they would act in such a situation. Men, younger and more affluent respondents are more likely to seek work or additional earnings, while older and poorer respondents are more likely to be ready to protest.
• Twenty-seven percent of respondents are ready to take part in public order protection activities on a voluntary basis jointly with National Guard or police patrols, while 69% are not ready.
• Seventy percent support a possible decision to extend quarantine measures until June in case of a worsening coronavirus situation, while 23% are opposed. Opposition is more common among residents of the South, less affluent respondents, and supporters of Shariy’s party, the Opposition Platform – For Life, and Batkivshchyna.
• Eighty percent of respondents support a possible tightening of quarantine measures during Easter holidays, and 75% during May holidays. Regarding Easter restrictions, opposition to this initiative is more common among believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and atheists.
• Over the past two weeks, the number of those who support the introduction of fines for violating quarantine conditions has significantly decreased from 75% to 55%. Only 25% support stricter measures against quarantine violators, up to and including imprisonment.
• Fifty-six percent of respondents support the idea of postponing local elections scheduled for October 2020 to December. Twenty-three percent are opposed, and 21% were unable to answer. Forty-three percent do not object to postponing local council elections to the spring of the following year, while one third are opposed. Twenty-four percent were unable to answer. Opposition to postponing voting dates is relatively more common among supporters of Shariy’s party and the Opposition Platform – For Life.
• The leader of electoral sympathies in elections to the Verkhovna Rada is the Servant of the People party, supported by 38.1% of those who intend to vote and have decided. Fifteen point four percent are ready to support European Solidarity, 14.1% the Opposition Platform – For Life, and 9.1% Batkivshchyna. The rating of other political forces is below 4%. About 20% remain undecided.
• Forty percent of respondents stated that they are aware that the Verkhovna Rada recently voted for a law prohibiting the return of nationalized banks to their former owners, 27% have heard something about it, and 31% know nothing about it. Half of respondents support this law, 17% are opposed, and 32% were unable to assess it. The largest share of supporters of these changes is among the oldest respondents and supporters of European Solidarity and Holos.
• Respondents follow news about the coronavirus situation more often than political news, 72% versus 43%.
• Eighty-five percent stated that they do not plan to go to church on Easter, whereas in March at the beginning of quarantine this share was only 21%. Four percent intend to attend church services, and 7% plan only to bless Easter baskets, compared to 39% and 35% respectively in March. The largest share of those who wish to personally participate in Easter services and blessings is among residents of the West, rural residents, believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
• Sixty-four percent plan to watch online broadcasts of Easter services, while 31% do not plan to do so. Those intending to watch services are relatively more common among residents of the West, rural residents, the oldest respondents, women, and believers of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
• Two thirds of respondents place responsibility for introducing additional quarantine measures during Easter holidays on the authorities, 38% on local authorities and 34% on central authorities. Only 11% believe that churches should be responsible for strengthening restrictions.
• Fifty-five percent of respondents do not plan to visit cemeteries on memorial days. At the same time, 8% want to go on the day when church services are held there, and 32% stated that they will visit cemeteries on other days when there are no crowds. The latter are most common among the oldest respondents, residents of the West and South, rural residents, men, and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

• On March 23, 2020, a petition titled “Return Uliana Suprun to the position of Minister of Health of Ukraine” was registered on the website of electronic petitions to the President of Ukraine and has already collected the required number of signatures. Therefore, we decided to find out the opinion of Ukrainians on this issue. According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 12–13, 2020, 63% do not support the return of Uliana Suprun to the position of Minister of Health of Ukraine, 14% support it, and about one quarter were unable to answer this question.
• Relatively higher support for this initiative is observed in the western regions, where 21% are in favor and 49% are against. In the central regions, 14% support the initiative, while 65% are against it. The lowest level of support is recorded in the southern regions, where 11% are in favor and 73% are against, and in the eastern regions, where 8% are in favor and 62% are against. The strongest opposition to the idea of returning Uliana Suprun to the position is observed among older people, among whom more than 70% do not support this initiative.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 4–7, 2020 among residents of Kyiv demonstrated that 53% of respondents see coronavirus as a real threat for themselves and their families, while 40% hold the opposite opinion.
• 59% stated that they had a job before the introduction of quarantine. Among them, 21% noted that they continue to work in the usual mode after the introduction of restrictions. 22% work remotely, 13% are on unpaid leave, and only 3% lost their job.
• 92% support the introduction of a mandatory requirement to wear masks in public places. 71% support the decision of the Kyiv city authorities to close the metro during quarantine (21% are against), and 65% do not object to restrictions on visiting parks, forest areas, and coastal zones during quarantine (31% are against).
• 59% of respondents consider the actions of the Mayor of Kyiv, V. Klitschko, in responding to the coronavirus threat to be effective, while 26% hold the opposite opinion. Regarding Kyiv medical institutions, 35% consider their actions effective, 29% ineffective, and 35% were unable to answer.
• 47% of respondents consider the reaction of President V. Zelenskyy to the threat of the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine to be effective, while 35% give opposite assessments. As for the Ministry of Health, 38% consider the actions of the institution effective, 42% ineffective, and 20% were unable to answer. Regarding the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 38% consider the actions of this institution effective, 35% ineffective, and 27% were unable to assess them. As for the effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, 40% of respondents found it difficult to answer this question. 28% assessed his actions as effective, and 32% as ineffective.
• 54% are satisfied with the activities of the Mayor of Kyiv, Klitschko, 32% are dissatisfied, and 14% were unable to answer. 35% are satisfied with the work of the Kyiv City Council, 35% are dissatisfied, and 28% were unable to assess it.
• 43% of respondents are rather satisfied with the activities of President Zelenskyy, while 44% gave opposite assessments. 21% are satisfied with the activities of Prime Minister Shmyhal, while 37% are dissatisfied. At the same time, 43% have not yet been able to assess his work. 18% are satisfied with the activities of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 63% are dissatisfied, and 19% were unable to assess it.
• 46% believe that the situation in Kyiv has improved during the mayoralty of V. Klitschko, 32% state that it has not changed, and only 14% saw a deterioration during this period.
• The leader among candidates for the position of Mayor of Kyiv is Vitalii Klitschko. If elections were held in the near future, 38.7% of those who have decided and intend to participate in voting would support him. 9.1% of such respondents would support S. Prytula, 8.8% S. Tkachenko, 8.2% A. Palchevskyi, 6.4% O. Omelchenko, 5.2% O. Popov, and 4.4% B. Bereza. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About one quarter of respondents have not decided on their choice.
• Modeling of the second round of the mayoral election produced the following results: if V. Klitschko and other leading candidates advanced to the second round, the incumbent mayor would win in all combinations. In a pair with O. Tkachenko, 47% of respondents are ready to support V. Klitschko, compared to 18% for the candidate from the party “Servant of the People”. In a pair with S. Prytula, the result would be 48% versus 20%, and in a pair with A. Palchevskyi, 49% versus 19% in favor of the head of Kyiv.
• The leader of electoral sympathies in elections to the city council is the party “Servant of the People”. It is supported by 22.3% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. 18.6% of such respondents would vote for the party “European Solidarity”, 13.5% for the party “UDAR”, 9.4% for the party “Batkivshchyna”, 7.2% for the party “Opposition Platform – For Life”, 5.9% for the party “Holos”, 3.8% for the Sharii Party, and 3.2% for the party “Strength and Honor”. The ratings of other political forces are below 3%. About one quarter of respondents have not decided on their choice.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 3–7, 2020 among residents of Chernihiv demonstrated that an absolute majority of respondents (83%) see the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine as a real threat.
• 59% of respondents see the spread of coronavirus in Chernihiv as a real threat, while 27% do not. 44% consider coronavirus to be a real threat personally for themselves and their families, while 45% hold the opposite view.
• 59% stated that they had a job before the introduction of quarantine. Among them, 28% noted that they continue to work in the usual mode after the introduction of restrictions. 16% work remotely, 13% are on unpaid leave, and only 2% lost their job.
• Despite quarantine, 20% of respondents stated that they leave home several times a day, and 32% once a day. At the same time, 42% stated that they leave home only once every few days, and 6% try not to leave home at all. Women and the oldest respondents more often reported a high level of restrictions on leaving home.
• 53% stated that they have protective masks in sufficient quantity, 40% have them but not enough, and 7% do not have them at all. Among those who have masks in sufficient quantity, 70% wear them often, 19% sometimes, and 11% do not wear them at all. Among those who have an insufficient number of masks, 58% wear them often, 29% sometimes, and 14% do not use them. Protective equipment is more often used by women, younger respondents, and the oldest respondents.
• 91% support the introduction of a mandatory requirement to wear masks in public places. 82% support the Government’s decision to extend quarantine until April 24 (14% are against). 70% do not object to restrictions on visiting parks, forest areas, and coastal zones during quarantine (26% are against).
• 58% of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus to be optimal. 21% state that they are too mild, and 12% are convinced that the measures are too strict.
• 47% of respondents consider the reaction of President V. Zelenskyy to the threat of the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine to be effective, while 30% give opposite assessments. Regarding the effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, 48% of respondents found it difficult to answer this question. 28% assessed his actions as effective, and 26% as ineffective. Regarding the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 35% consider the actions of this institution to be effective, 26% ineffective, and 38% were unable to assess them. As for the Ministry of Health, 33% consider the actions of the ministry to be effective, 41% ineffective, and 26% were unable to answer.
• 73% of respondents consider the actions of the Mayor of Chernihiv, V. Atroshenko, in responding to the coronavirus threat to be effective, while only 10% hold the opposite opinion.
• 73% of respondents stated that they know nothing about the activities of the Member of Parliament elected from their constituency. 13% are satisfied with his work, while 10% are dissatisfied.
• The leader of electoral sympathies in elections to the city council is V. Atroshenko’s party “Ridnyi Dim”. It is supported by 40.3% of those who have decided and intend to participate in the elections. 19% of such respondents would vote for the party “Servant of the People”, 8.6% each for the parties “Batkivshchyna” and “European Solidarity”, and 7.8% for the party “Opposition Platform – For Life”. The ratings of other political forces are below 4%. About 40% of respondents have not decided on their choice.
• The absolute leader among candidates for the position of Mayor of Chernihiv is Vladyslav Atroshenko. If elections were held in the near future, more than 90% of those who have decided and intend to participate in voting would support him. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 15% of respondents have not decided on their choice.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group recorded the presence among respondents of signs of depression, anxiety, panic, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Comparing the results of the two waves of the survey (Wave I – March 27–28, Wave II – April 3–4), a slight increase in anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia is noticeable. The levels of depression and panic remained at the same level.
• Overall, the level of negative emotional states of Ukrainians during quarantine and their dynamics do not currently cause concern. No significant growth was detected, and disorders with a clinical profile (panic, depression) remained at the initial level.
• Age: The level of anxiety is relatively high among all age groups except the oldest. In older age (50+), depressive moods are less common. At the same time, sleep disorders are more frequently observed among representatives of the older and oldest age groups. An increase in negative emotional states was recorded among respondents aged 18–29 and 30–39. Thus, among the youngest, signs of depression appear in the current situation. Among other age groups, changes are insignificant, and among the oldest, a decrease in the level of panic is recorded.
• Age differences in psycho-emotional states are likely related to changes in lifestyles. Young people show more depressive states due to a sharp change in lifestyle, forced narrowing of the social circle, reduced activity, and a decrease in impressions and events. At the same time, at the age of 50+, the lifestyle becomes more and more quarantine-like every year (more time spent at home, a smaller social interaction circle, retirement, etc.), therefore, apart from sleep disorders, which are normative at this age, older people experience other negative states better and adapt better to the situation (panic decreases).
• Gender: Women demonstrate higher levels of all emotional indicators than men. At the same time, no significant shifts were recorded among women during this period. In contrast, indicators increased among men, especially in terms of anxiety and sleep disorders. The identified gender differences correspond to the norm: women typically have a higher level of reflection on their own emotional states and a wider range of manifestations at the behavioral level, as according to gender norms women are “allowed” to be emotional. Men, by contrast, are expected not to feel and to hide emotions. However, due to their behavioral styles, men adapt worse to stressors and are not able to suppress their negative experiences for a long time; therefore, it is likely that the level does not increase, but rather becomes more evident in men’s awareness.
• Respondents mostly communicate frequently with their relatives and friends. Thus, 27% constantly spend time or communicate with relatives, 51% do so often, 10% sometimes, 11% rarely, and 1% never. Men and older people communicate with their relatives relatively less. 15% constantly spend time or communicate with friends/colleagues, 43% do so often, 21% sometimes, 19% rarely, and 2% never. Men and respondents aged 40–49 communicate with friends/colleagues more often.
• Very few seek help from psychologists: 91% never do so, 5% do so rarely, and 3% sometimes. Only about 2% of respondents do so often or constantly. The vast majority also do not seek help from healers or psychics. However, they turn to them somewhat more often than to psychologists. Thus, 88% never seek advice from them, 7% do so rarely, 4% sometimes, and 2% often or constantly. Younger people turn to psychologists somewhat more often, while older people more often turn to healers; women turn to both categories somewhat more often.
• For Ukrainians in general, despite the increase in обращения to psychologists in recent years, seeking help from a specialist in the case of psychological problems or interaction disorders remains unusual. The same applies to visits to a doctor before serious symptoms appear. Demand for psychological assistance is formed by psychological education and the growth of psychological culture, which are still at a low level in our society. While young people are more progressive in their views, older groups prefer healers.
• Level of trust: 54% believe that one must be very careful with people. 30%, on the contrary, believe that most people can be trusted. 16% were unable to answer. In the issue of social trust, a clear age and gender dependence is observed: the younger the respondents, the more inclined they are to distrust others. Men are more cautious toward other people than women. Trust in people as a universal basic value has fallen outside the psychological norm. Normally, we a priori assume that people can generally be trusted, which allows us to build strong social ties not only with a close circle but also in a broader social environment. This is the basis of civil society, the level of responsibility, and mutual assistance. Such a level of distrust is shaped both by personal life experience and by social processes in general. Moreover, distrust of people as a whole requires much more psychological effort than the basic assumption that people can be trusted, which leads to significant differences in the psychological states of those who trust (they feel better) and those who do not trust (they feel worse).
• Most of the population consider themselves rather happy than unhappy: 19% consider themselves very happy (this indicator has decreased; in 2018 it was 36%), 57% rather happy, 16% not very happy, and only 2% absolutely unhappy. The younger the age, the happier respondents feel.
• 70% believe that a person’s happiness primarily depends on their internal state. At the same time, 21% are convinced that whether a person is happy or not depends on external circumstances. Women are more inclined to believe that happiness is primarily the result of a person’s internal state. In general, the happier a person is, the more they agree with this opinion. At least one third of unhappy respondents are convinced that happiness depends on external circumstances.
• The feeling of happiness inversely affects the experience of negative emotions: the happier a person is, the less pronounced are indicators of depressive and anxious states, sleep disorders, panic, and fatigue. People who consider themselves unhappy experience all these negative emotions the most, with the most pronounced difference observed in the indicator of depression. The same applies to the assessment of the source of happiness: people who believe that happiness depends on external circumstances experience more negative emotions, while those who believe that happiness is an internal state experience fewer such emotions.
• Negative feelings are also significantly influenced by interpersonal communication: the less time respondents spend or communicate with their close ones (friends, family), the more pronounced their negative psycho-emotional states are. For example, all indicators (anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, depression, panic) are highest among those who communicate with their relatives rarely.
• A similar relationship is observed between social trust and psycho-emotional states: those who are more inclined to trust others have noticeably lower indicators of negative emotions than those who treat people with caution and distrust.
• Thus, respondents generally feel quite happy. According to the results of the study, the feeling of happiness is supported by an internal locus of control (my life, mood, emotions, and behavior primarily depend on me – I am responsible for my states), strong interpersonal ties and intensity of communication (with relatives and friends), mutual assistance, and basic trust in people. While the level of basic trust is not easy to address quickly, everything else represents resources that help maintain emotional stability during quarantine and endure it without serious psychological consequences for the individual.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of April 1–2, 2020, showed that during the quarantine period the frequency of news consumption among respondents increased significantly, with almost half stating that they began following the news more often.
• One third of respondents reported that they started watching films and TV series more often, cleaning their homes, and cooking food. About one quarter indicated that they increased the amount of time devoted to self-development, communication with relatives and close ones, sleep, food, and listening to music. One in five respondents began spending more time on their hobbies, reading books, or engaging in sports.
• At the same time, quarantine significantly affected time spent outdoors: almost half of respondents stated that they now go for walks less often than usual. Restrictions also had a substantial impact on communication with friends, with about 40% reporting that they communicate with them less frequently than before quarantine. One in five respondents was forced to limit communication with relatives and close ones as well as sports activities.
• Certain gender differences in behavioral patterns during quarantine are observed. Women tend to follow the news and cook food somewhat more often. Men more often began engaging in sports and spend more time than usual sleeping, consuming alcohol, and having sex, especially those men who are currently in quarantine and not going to work.
• In terms of age, representatives of the youngest age group (18–29 years) more often than others watch films, engage in self-development, sports, hobbies, communicate with friends and close ones, sleep, eat, listen to music, and have sex. As a result of quarantine, cooking has become more frequent not among older people but among representatives of the youngest and young age groups (under 40 years). Even men are doing this much more actively than before quarantine. It is also noteworthy that respondents under 40 more often than others reported restrictions on outdoor walks.
• An interesting analysis concerns changes in respondents’ behavior depending on their employment status during quarantine. Respondents who do not go to work, either because they are unemployed or working remotely, began devoting significantly more time to sleep, cooking and eating, sports, hobbies, communication with close ones, learning and self-development, books, films, and TV series. Even those who continue going to work began watching more films, following the news more actively, and increasing time spent sleeping and eating, although to a lesser extent than those staying at home during quarantine. Employment status had almost no effect on the frequency of sexual activity.
• Data analysis made it possible to group respondents’ answers into five different models of behavior during quarantine using factor analysis. The first group tries to devote more time to self-development, including sports, hobbies, reading, and learning. Representatives of the second group began resting more, watching films and TV series, eating, sleeping, and listening to music. A separate group during quarantine, referred to as “hedonism,” spends more time on online shopping for goods and food, alcohol consumption, and sex. Representatives of the remaining two groups devote more time either to communication or to household chores.
• Among basic emotions, respondents most often experience joy and interest/excitement. Less pronounced are surprise, anger, sadness, and fear. Even less pronounced are disgust, feelings of guilt, shame, and indifference. Emotions represent the current background of mood and psychological well-being and reflect what a person is experiencing at the moment, unlike feelings, which are usually long-term and stable and do not change significantly under the influence of mood. Emotions are situational and easier to manage, allowing changes in emotional background through simple actions.
• Age differences are also evident in emotional experiences. Representatives of the youngest age group (18–29 years) more often than others experience joy and indifference. Young adults aged 30–39 more often feel anger. Middle-aged respondents more frequently experience surprise. The oldest respondents are less likely than others to feel indifference, hostility, and surprise. Traditionally, at older ages people tend to worry more about others, such as children and grandchildren, and about their own physical condition and health. At the same time, sadness is more often observed among older respondents. It is also notable that the older group experiences fear less often, despite being the main risk group.
• Gender differences in emotions are also observed. Women more often than men experience joy, surprise, interest/excitement, feelings of guilt, and sadness. Men more often experience indifference, hostility/disgust, and anger. Thus, the male emotional spectrum is more concentrated on the negative pole, while the female spectrum is bipolar. This corresponds to a traditional gender distribution of emotions, as women are culturally allowed to express emotions more openly, whereas men are expected to hide them, with the exception of emotions associated with masculinity.
• Interesting relationships are observed between changes in activity frequency during quarantine and emotional state. Activity can influence emotional states, just as emotional states can lead to changes in activity and behavior. Emotional background also depends on a person’s physical condition and environmental factors such as comfortable temperature, sunlight, fresh air, sufficient distance from others, and personal space, all of which help maintain psychological boundaries and improve well-being.
• Those who began following the news more often were also more likely to experience fear and surprise, which is linked to the emotional framing of news content designed to attract attention, often through negative emotions. Those who consume more alcohol more often experience fear, hostility, anger, surprise, and sadness, indicating that alcohol does not improve emotional state but rather deepens destructive experiences.
• Respondents who began communicating less with friends and close ones more often experience sadness and anger, while those who communicate more frequently more often experience joy. Social isolation is an unusual and uncomfortable state, as people are social beings who seek affiliation and social facilitation.
• Those who began engaging more often in sex and online shopping experience more joy and surprise and significantly less sadness. Conversely, respondents who reduced sports, hobbies, or listening to music more often experience negative emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear.
• Those who began sleeping more experience higher levels of indifference, disgust, and anger. Sleep can temporarily reduce stress by switching off emotional experiences but cannot resolve them on its own. Respondents who spend more time outdoors more often experience joy due to positive environmental factors, although they also report increased feelings of guilt related to quarantine restrictions.
• Overall, people can influence their emotional background through simple actions, such as limiting news consumption to reduce anxiety and fear, increasing communication with relatives and friends to experience joy, and engaging in constructive activities such as sex, hobbies, sports, fresh air, and favorite music, while avoiding destructive behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption, excessive sleep, overexposure to news, and social isolation.

• The results of the surveys conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of Wave I (March 25–27) and Wave II (March 28–30) showed that an absolute majority of respondents perceive the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine as a real threat. Compared to the beginning of quarantine, the share of those who see such a threat increased from 73% to 87%.
• Fifty-one percent of respondents consider coronavirus a real threat personally for themselves and their families, while 41% hold the opposite view. Over the past two weeks, opinions on this issue have changed only slightly. Residents of the western and central regions of the country and urban residents more often spoke about the existence of such a threat.
• When assessing the level of coronavirus incidence in Ukraine on a five-point scale, 28% of respondents rated it as very high or high, 34% as medium, and 32% as low or minimal. Higher assessments of incidence were more often given by residents of the South, urban residents, and representatives of the older age group.
• Assessing the situation with incidence in their own region, respondents perceive it as less threatening than at the national level. Only 13% of respondents stated that the level of incidence in their locality is high, while 65% consider it low or minimal. This opinion prevails among residents of eastern regions and rural areas.
• Opinions regarding the possible introduction of a state of emergency in Ukraine are divided: 49% would support such an initiative, while 43% would not.
• At the same time, 83% support a possible ban on mass events, strikes, and rallies under a state of emergency. Seventy-one percent do not object to possible restrictions on entry to and exit from certain cities and regions, 65% support possible restrictions on vehicle movement and inspections, and 58% support the possible introduction of a curfew in cities. At the same time, regarding the possible granting of the state the right to forcibly seize property from legal entities and individuals under a state of emergency, an absolute majority of respondents, 80%, are opposed to such measures, while only 14% support them.
• Seventy-four percent believe that fines should be introduced for people who violate quarantine restrictions, while 19% are against such an initiative.
• Fifty-eight percent of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus to be optimal. Twenty-eight percent believe that they are too lenient, and only 6% are convinced that the measures are too strict.
• Thirty-four percent believe that the authorities should return all citizens home after the closure of borders, 24% believe that returns should take place selectively, while another 34% believe that no one should be returned at all after border closure.
• Fifty-three percent are convinced that the authorities downplay the situation when providing information about the spread of coronavirus, 21% believe that the information is objective, and 11% think that it is exaggerated.
• When assessing the information presented by Ukrainian mass media, 38% believe that they downplay the situation, 23% consider the coverage objective, and 19% believe that the information is exaggerated. Twenty-one percent were unable to answer this question.
• Fifty-six percent of respondents consider the reaction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the threat of coronavirus spread in Ukraine to be effective, while 30% give opposite assessments. Regarding the Ministry of Health, 38% consider its actions effective and 46% ineffective. As for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 37% consider its actions effective, 33% ineffective, and 30% were unable to assess them. Regarding the effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, 44% of respondents found it difficult to answer this question, 30% assessed his actions as effective, and 26% as ineffective. Over the past two weeks, assessments of the effectiveness of the actions of these institutions in responding to the coronavirus threat have increased.
• Almost 70% consider the introduced quarantine to be effective, while one quarter give opposite assessments. Residents of the South and East, younger respondents, and men somewhat more often consider quarantine measures ineffective. At the same time, almost 80% of respondents support the Government’s decision to extend quarantine until April 24, 2020.
• Two thirds reported that they had a job before the introduction of quarantine. Among them, 35% stated that they continue working in the usual mode after restrictions were introduced, 29% work remotely, 32% are on unpaid leave, and only 4% lost their jobs.
• More than half of respondents stated that they limited leaving their homes due to quarantine. One third reported partial restrictions, and only one in ten stated that they do not comply with quarantine. Residents of the Center, women, and representatives of the oldest age group more often reported complete self-isolation.
• Despite quarantine, 18% of respondents reported leaving home several times a day and 31% once a day. At the same time, 43% stated that they leave home only once every few days, and 7% try not to leave at all. Higher levels of restriction on leaving home were more often reported by urban residents, women, and the oldest respondents.
• The main reason for going outside cited by respondents was going to the store for groceries, mentioned by 73%. Twenty-eight percent go out due to work, and the same share due to visiting a pharmacy. About 5–7% reported going outside to walk with children, engage in sports, or walk pets. About 3–4% leave home to meet friends and acquaintances or to visit a doctor.
• Fifty-two percent stated that they are ready to stay at home without going outside for more than five days if a ban on leaving home is introduced. Twelve percent said they could stay at home for four to five days, 20% for two to three days, and 10% for no more than one day. The latter group is most common among men, poorer and wealthier respondents. At the same time, among the wealthier group there is also the largest share of those ready to remain in home quarantine for more than five days.
• Almost 60% of respondents stated that their savings would last less than one month if income stopped. Sixteen percent said their savings would last up to two months, 7% up to three months, 6% up to six months, and 3% up to one year or more.
• Forty-two percent stated that they have protective masks in sufficient quantity, 39% have them but in insufficient quantity, and 19% do not have them at all. Fifty-seven percent reported having disinfectants at home in sufficient quantity, 29% have them but insufficiently, and 14% do not have them. Protective gloves in sufficient quantity are available to 40% of respondents, insufficiently to 23%, and not available at all to 37%. Protective and disinfecting products are more often used by residents of western and central regions, urban residents, women, and younger respondents. Those who have them in sufficient quantity use them more frequently.
• Three quarters of respondents worry that someone close to them may become ill with coronavirus, while concern for their own health is lower, with 58% worrying and 42% not worried.
• Almost 80% are concerned that Ukraine will face a prolonged economic crisis. More than two thirds worry that they will not be able to purchase necessary medicines. Almost half worry that they will not be able to buy necessary food, while 52% do not worry about this. Only 25% are concerned that they will have to cancel important events or trips, while three quarters are not worried about this.
• Forty-four percent rated their emotional state over the past week as calm, while 23% described it as tense. Higher levels of anxiety are recorded among women and older people. Eighty percent of respondents assessed their relationships with people they live with over the past week as calm, and only 8% as tense.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” during February 21–25, 2020, demonstrated that a relative majority of Ukrainians believe that women are sufficiently represented in various spheres of public life. At the same time, almost 40% of respondents are convinced that women are underrepresented in politics; 30–35% believe that women are insufficiently represented in law enforcement agencies and in science; 26% — in the army; and 19% — in business. Conversely, about one third of respondents believe that women are overrepresented in such spheres as healthcare and education. Notably, it was women rather than men who more often pointed to the insufficient representation of women in security structures, politics, science, and business.
• About half of respondents agree with the statements that Ukraine today lacks a party that represents women’s interests. The same share believe that women are insufficiently represented in the Government, the Verkhovna Rada, and local authorities. Older respondents and women agreed with these theses more often.
• 36% of respondents believe that their vote does not decide anything in elections. 58% hold the opposite opinion. Residents of the West, younger respondents, and men disagreed with this statement relatively more often.
• 82% support women entering politics. 12% hold the opposite view. At the same time, on issues of leadership and making balanced decisions, responses were distributed as follows: more than 40% of respondents predominantly chose a neutral answer as to who is better — men or women — at occupying leadership positions and making decisions. However, when comparing direct answers, respondents nevertheless tended to give preference to men, especially when it came to politics. Moreover, while opinions of men and women differed somewhat regarding leadership in a team and decision-making, with respect to political leadership and making balanced political decisions both genders more often favored men.
• When assessing the effectiveness of representatives of both genders in political and elected positions, respondents most often agreed that gender does not play a significant role in effective performance as a member of parliament or a local councilor. At the same time, despite the fact that a relative majority agreed that both men and women can effectively perform the duties of a city or village mayor, head of a regional state administration, government minister, Prime Minister, and President of Ukraine, respondents still somewhat more often stated that men would be more effective in these roles. Meanwhile, in positions such as Commissioner for Peacebuilding in Donbas (a position invented for the survey) and Minister of Defense, respondents see men as more effective. Notably, no significant gender differences were recorded in responses to these questions.
• Among the most recognizable female members of parliament are Yuliia Tymoshenko (recognized by 97% of respondents) and Nataliia Korolevska (recognized by 76%). At the same time, 28% trust Yuliia Tymoshenko, and 20% trust Nataliia Korolevska. Iryna Herashchenko is recognized by 66%, and trusted by 21%. Other female MPs are recognized by less than 60% of respondents.
• In the regional breakdown, the highest trust ratings are for Yuliia Tymoshenko in the Center (31%), Nataliia Korolevska in the East (30%) and South (28%), and Iryna Herashchenko in the West (30%). According to respondents, among the listed politicians Yuliia Tymoshenko has the greatest political prospects (29%), followed by Nataliia Korolevska (10%) and Iryna Herashchenko (7%).
• The question on the distribution of gender roles produced the following results: according to respondents, in their family (couple) women more often cook food (64%). Only about a quarter stated that this role is shared equally. Responsibilities for childrearing and household chores are also, in respondents’ opinion, more often assigned to women (52% and 43%, respectively). At the same time, regarding childrearing, respondents somewhat more often stated that this role is shared equally than in the case of household chores. As for free time, responses were distributed as follows: women — 33%, men — 30%, both genders equally — 28%. Leadership in the family (couple) is somewhat more often attributed to men — 39% hold this view; 29% believe women play this role; and 29% believe it is shared equally. More than half of respondents believe that in their family (couple) the man earns more money; 23% think this applies to women; and 17% believe both earn approximately equally.
• In dynamics since 2015, there has been a gradual decrease in the share of those who believe that cooking, household chores, and childrearing are more often performed by women. At the same time, the number of those who believe that women have more free time, are heads of the family, and earn more money is increasing. Notably, men’s and women’s opinions on the distribution of roles such as cooking, household chores, and childrearing do not differ significantly. However, regarding family leadership and earning money, there is a clearly opposite perception of these roles between the two genders.
• An absolute majority of respondents agree with the statements that the most important task of a woman is to take care of the home and family (83%), and that the most important task of a man is to earn money (75%). 78% agree that women more often than men make decisions based on emotions. 67% agree that it is acceptable for men to cry (25% disagree). 68% agree that women have less freedom due to family obligations (27% disagree). 51% agree with the statement that women are less interested than men in holding responsible political positions (34% disagree). At the same time, nearly two thirds of respondents disagree with the statement that women lack the necessary knowledge and skills to hold responsible political positions, while a quarter agree. Notably, women more often than men agreed with statements about women making decisions under emotional influence, the acceptability of men crying, women having less freedom due to family responsibilities, and women being less interested in holding responsible positions.

• According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of February 21–25, 2020, 77% of respondents intend to celebrate March 8 this year. At the same time, 19% stated that they do not plan to celebrate. Compared to a similar survey conducted in 2012, the share of those who do not celebrate this day has slightly increased. Relatively more such respondents are found in the western region of the country, as well as among the youngest and the oldest age groups. Notably, among men there are slightly more respondents who intend to celebrate March 8 than among women.
• For the majority of respondents (68%), March 8 is a good occasion to do something pleasant for close women. This interpretation is relatively more common among young people and residents of the eastern and southern regions.
• Eleven percent consider March 8 to be an ordinary day, and since 2013 the share of such respondents has doubled. This view is more common among residents of the western region. Notably, women (13%) describe this day as ordinary more often than men (8%).
• Only 9% perceive this holiday as a symbol of women’s struggle for their rights, while 8% describe it as a holiday rooted in the Soviet past. The latter perception is more characteristic of older respondents.
• The majority of respondents (87%) do not support the idea of abolishing the March 8 holiday, compared to 91% in 2012. Only 9% support this idea, more often in the western region (18%); however, even there, the majority (73%) do not support such an initiative.