IISEPS — Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Politycal Studies

RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON December 2-12, 2008
(1.522 persons interviewed, margin of error does not exceed 0.03)

1. What kind of year did 2008 turn out to be for Belarus in comparison with the previous one – more difficult or easier?

Variant of answer	%
More difficult	42.8
The same as the previous one	44.6
Easier	7.7
DA/NA	4.9

2. How has your financial position changed for the last three months?

Variant of answer	%
It has improved	9.4
It has not changed	55.4
It has become worse	33.8
DA/NA	1.4

3. Do you think that an economic crisis is getting under way in Belarus?

Variant of answer	%
Yes	64.3
No	20.4
DA/NA	15.3

4. If you believe that an economic crisis is getting under way in Belarus, then which opinion concerning it, do you agree with?

Variant of answer	%
Serious upheavals are expecting our country’s economy	46.4
It is a temporary phenomenon which does not affect fundamentals of our economy and the situation is going to become stabilized soon	20.8
I have not heard anything about the crisis	5.6
DA/NA	27.2

5. If you believe that an economic crisis is getting under way in Belarus, then to what extent can it be considered a consequence of the country’s authorities economic policy of the last years?

Variant of answer	%
Virtually to the full extent	14.5
To a considerable extent	24.3
To an insignificant extent	17.1
It is impossible to say that it is the cause of the economic crisis	13.1
DA/NA	31.0

6. If one speaks about you and members of your family who live together with you, do you expect delays of wage payment in the near future?

Variant of answer	%
It is already happening	10.5
It might happen in the course of the weeks immediately ahead	14.0
If nothing changes it might happen within the next few months	20.2
I think, it is not going to happen in the near future	37.6
DA/NA	6.4
There are no employed in my family	11.3

7. If one speaks about you and members of your family who live together with you, do you expect in the near future dismissals from enterprises (organizations) where you (members of your family) work?

Variant of answer	%
It is already happening	3.6
It might happen in the course of the weeks immediately ahead	10.5
If nothing changes it might happen within the next few months	17.1
I think, it is not going to happen in the near future	48.9
DA/NA	7.4
There are no employed in my family	12.5

8. If one speaks about you and members of your family who live together with you, do you expect in the near future reduction of earnings?

Variant of answer	%
It is already happening	19.6
It might happen in the course of the weeks immediately ahead	13.3
If nothing changes it might happen within the next few months	18.3
I think, it is not going to happen in the near future	30.2
DA/NA	6.3
There are no employed in my family	12.3

9. To what extent does the rise in prices for foodstuffs, manufactured goods, accommodation, education, medical and other services tell upon your life?

Variant of answer	%
It does not virtually tell on my life, as the rise in prices is made up for by the income growth	9.2
It is already telling on it and causes nervousness	40.1
It is seriously telling on my life and causes alarm	31.8
I experience real shock thanks to the rise in prices	18.3
NA	0.6

10. Who, in your opinion, is responsible for worsening of the economic situation in the country in the first place? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer	%
The government	52.0
The president	42.5
The West	27.4
Local authorities	24.0
Directors of state enterprises and collective farms	14.5
Russia	9.9
The Mafia	7.9
Businessmen	7.3
Mass media (newspapers, radio, TV)	1.6
Other	1.9
DA	9.0

11. What currency enjoys your greatest confidence?

Variant of answer	%
The USA dollars	41.2
Belarusian rubles	28.8
Euro	19.5
Russian rubles	2.8
Other	1.3
DA/NA	6.4