Readers may be surprised at some of the categories investigated in this Russian poll quoted by a popular Russian blogger Fritz Moiseevich Morgen, such as ‘raise good children’, ‘have loyal friends, or ‘lead an honest life’. The answers illustrate the extent to which Russian aspirations differ from those of Western populations, as they confirm the emphasis on relationships of all kinds rather than ‘things’.

According to the poll, 58% own their own home, while 27% think they will eventually; 43% have interesting job, and 31% think they could, while 78% consider that they have loyal friends and 17% think it’s possible. Forty-nine percent believe they are raising good children, and sixty-three percent consider that they are leading an honest life.

This is how our compatriots estimate their success rate in achieving their goals:

Russians’ success rate in achieving life goals, 2015, in %. The source: Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences

It’s curious that more than a half of Russians have successfully solved the housing problem that many consider ‘unsolvable’, and only 11% doubt they will be ever able to have their own home. In fact, perceptions are somewhat worse than real situations. 85% of Russians live in their own homes – a very high rate compared to other countries. Many, of course, want a bigger apartment, since a single person in Russia has about 24 square meters (about 400 sq. ft.) This is more than in the days of the USSR but it’s still too small.

It’s also interesting that 24% of Russians would like to have their own business but think it’s impossible. The government should better promote this idea, because almost everyone could have small business if they want to: ‘where there's a will, there's a way’.