IISEPS — Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Politycal Studies

RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON December 3-13, 2007
(1521 persons interviewed, margin of error does not exceed 0.03)

1. What are the most acute problems that our country and citizens are facing at the moment? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer	%
Rise in prices	84.2
Unemployment	38.3
Impoverishment of the population	34.7
Corruption, bribe-taking	33.4
Criminality	26.9
Violation of the human rights	25.6
Overcoming of the Chernobyl catastrophe consequences	22.3
Absence of order and law	21.3
Recession of production	20.6
Decrease of population	20.1
International isolation of Belarus	14.5
Decline of the national culture	12.8
Threat of the West	12.0
Disunity of the society	8.4
Threat of the loss of Belarusian independence	7.2

2. In what way has your financial position changed for the last three months?

Variant of answer	%
It has improved	10.8
It has not changed	55.3
It has become worse	32.4
DA/NA	1.5

3. In May of 2007 Belarusian authorities decided to reduce benefits for the population. Some people say it was a sound decision, and that our economy will not endure so many benefit recipients. Others consider one should save on something else, not on benefits. Which opinion do you agree with?

Variant of answer	%
Benefits should not be reduced; it is necessary to save on something else	74.2
It is necessary to reduce benefits as our economy will not stand so many benefit recipients	25.0
NA	0.8

4. To what extent does the rise in prices for foodstuff, manufactured goods, accommodation, education, medical and other services tell on your life?

Variant of answer	%
It does not virtually tell on my life, as the rise in prices is outweighed by the income growth	9.3
It is already telling on me and it gives rise to nervousness	41.1
It is seriously telling on my life and causes anxiety	29.0
I am really shocked by the rise in prices	19.9
NA	0.7

5. In your opinion, who is primarily responsible for the rise in prices and the cost of life in general? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer	%
Government	55.0
President A. Lukashenko	46.4
Managers of enterprises and organizations	12.6
Local government bodies	12.1
Russia	11.0
The European Union and the USA	3.9
Other	1.1
DA	5.1

6. If we talk about the life of your family, what do you and members of your family set themselves as an object? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer	%
To survive, even if it is on the most primitive level of existence	13.2
To live not worse than most families in your town, district	48.8
To live better than most families in your town, district	18.5
To live the way an average family lives in Western Europe, the USA	11.9
To live better than an average family in Western Europe, the USA	5.7
DA	2.3

7. In your opinion, does the state of affairs in our country develop in general in the right or in the wrong direction?

Variant of answer	%
In the right direction	41.2
In the wrong direction	39.3
DA/NA	19.5

8. In your opinion, how is socio-economic situation in Belarus going to change in the next few years?

Variant of answer	%
It is going to improve	23.2
It is not going to change	37.6
It is going to become worse	28.5
DA/NA	10.7

9. What opinion do you agree with? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer	%
Those who have money and connections, can escape penalty for a crime	57.7
Those who hold high posts, can escape penalty for a crime	36.2
In our country all citizens are equal in the face of the law, and anyone who breaks it will be punished without fail	22.3

10. In your opinion, the president and the government now have to...

Variant of answer	%
Give people freedom and only make sure they obey the law	53.9
Strictly control political and economic life in the country	32.5
DA/NA	13.6