The majority of Russians (70%) are aware that from 2025 it is planned to introduce a digital ruble into wide circulation, while more than half (55%) have only heard about it without details, writes RBC with reference to the results of a survey by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center ( VTsIOM).
At the same time, over half of the respondents (51%) found it difficult to answer the question why the digital ruble is needed. There are more such people among respondents with incomplete secondary education (75%) and active TV viewers (71%). The share of those who understand the purpose of introducing a new currency is higher among young Russians (50% among respondents under 24 years old versus 37% among the older generation), despite the fact that more older Russians said they were aware of the introduction of this instrument.
However, less than a tenth of the respondents (8%) spoke negatively about the introduction of digital currency: 3% considered the new tool to be a hoax, 2% each called control and intoxication of the population the goals of its implementation, another 1% – digital slavery.
Among those who answered the question about the purpose of the digital ruble and advocated its implementation, the most common opinion was that this contributes to the transparency and security of monetary transactions (22%). 13% of respondents considered that the introduction of the digital ruble would make life easier for users, 11% called economic progress a plus of the new tool, 8% of respondents spoke in favor of the digital ruble, calling it an alternative to other forms of money/currencies.
VTsIOM analysts note that a poor understanding of the goals of introducing the digital ruble is accompanied by a reluctance to use it: 58% of respondents said they did not want to try this tool (among respondents over 60 years old, the proportion of people with this opinion was 1.3 times higher – 79%). Less than a third of respondents (30%) showed interest in the digital ruble, another 12% found it difficult to answer.
The desire to use the digital ruble is primarily inherent in young people (53% among respondents under 24 years old and half of 25-34 year olds versus 12% among Russians over 60 years old), as well as men (33 versus 27% among women) and active Internet users (39 vs. 11% among active TV viewers).
In addition, interest in the digital ruble is growing along with the level of education and financial situation of the respondents. Among respondents who rated their income above average, twice as many people expressed a desire to try a new tool (42 versus 21% dissatisfied with their financial situation). More than a third of respondents with higher education (36%) are also interested in the digital ruble (against 24-29% among respondents with secondary specialized education and below).
1,600 Russians over 18 took part in the survey.
Source: Rosbalt
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