FX.co ★ Levada Center: expectations of Russians for 2018

According to the data, the first place among the negative expectations was given to explosive corruption scandals and the dismissal of various ministers. This was stated by 63% of respondents, 47% of them confidently answered the question about possible scandals in 2018 with "probably", and 16% expressed full confidence in this saying "definitely."

50% of respondents do not exclude the economic crisis in the coming year. 12% of respondents are sure about it ("definitely"), the remaining 38% answered "probably".

The third place among the fears is occupied by large-scale technical catastrophes, about which 36% of Russians said: 30% ("probably") believe that catastrophes are possible in 2018, and 6% are sure of their inevitability. According to the results of the survey last year, there were 27% of respondents.

Mass unrest and public protests are expected by 30% of respondents ("probably"), 6% ("definitely") are confident in mass protests. The expectation of citizens of such protests in comparison with last year increased by 14%.

About 25% of respondents ("probably") believe that next year mass epidemics are possible, 5% of respondents are sure about that ("definitely"). In 2017, there were 27%.

25% of respondents ("probably") do not exclude mass ethnic clashes and 6% ("definitely") are confident that they will occur in 2018. Compared to 2017, fears about such conflicts increased dramatically, by 12%.

19% of respondents ("probably") do not rule out the beginning of the war "with the US / NATO", 4% ("definitely") stated their conviction. On the eve of 2017, it was considered possible by 10%.

According to 24% of Russians ("probably"), in 2018 a worsening of the situation in the North Caucasus is possible, 5% of respondents ("definitely") are confident in the occurrence of such conflicts. This is 7% more than a year earlier.

Citizens least expect to see armed conflicts with neighboring countries. Confidence at the beginning of the war with the neighboring country was expressed by 4% of respondents ("definitely"), 19% of respondents ("probably") believe that in 2018 a war with a neighboring state may begin.

Also, fewer negative expectations are associated with a possible coup d'état (12% of respondents ("probably") suggest such a development of the situation, and only 3% expressed confidence in this).

This survey took place between December 1-5, 2017, among 1600 people over the age of 18 in 137 localities of 48 of the country's regions. The statistical error of these studies for a selection of 1600 people (with a probability of 0.95) does not exceed:

• 3.4% for indicators around 50%;
• 2.9% for indicators around 25%/75%;
• 2.0% for indicators around 10%/90%;