IRI Moldova Poll Shows Attitudes Toward Russia Increasingly Negative, Economic Concerns, Opportunities for Youth Engagement

Chisinau, Moldova – A nationwide poll in Moldova by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows increasingly negative attitudes toward Russia and widespread concerns over the economy. Opportunities for young Moldovans to become engaged in the political process are also highlighted. 

When asked about Moldova’s relationship with Russia, 66% say that relations are bad or very bad. This represents an eighteen-point increase from a previous poll at the end of 2021.  

“Vladimir Putin’s belligerent and unjust war in Ukraine is driving up negative sentiment toward Russia,” said Stephen Nix, Regional Director for Eurasia at IRI. “This is just one of the many negative consequences we are seeing as a direct result of the Kremlin’s attack on a sovereign neighbor.”  

Additionally, the survey found concerns about the state of the economy. When asked about the most important problems facing the country, 64% cite the cost of living, 39% say low income, and 32% reference unemployment.  

“The data suggests that the government needs to continue its efforts to boost the economy and stimulate job growth,” said Nix. “While this has been a priority in recent years, it is clear that more needs to be done.”   

Through an additional sample of residents targeting the youth population (18-35 years), the poll also shows that young people in Moldova are willing to engage in political and civic activity. Seventy percent of youth say they are very or somewhat interested in community service, and 20% say they are willing to run for local or national office by the time they are 35 years old.  

Methodology    

The survey was coordinated by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene from Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization on behalf of the International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research, with fieldwork carried out by Centre CIVIS. Data was collected throughout Moldova (with the exception of Transnistria) between February 9 and March 30, 2022, through computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The main sample consisted of 1,306 permanent residents of Moldova aged 18 and older and eligible to vote and is representative of the general population by age, gender, region, and settlement size, according to the Moldova Statistical Databank.  

The youth sample consisted of 637 residents of Moldova aged 18-35 years and is representative of the Moldovan youth population by age, gender, and settlement size (urban/rural), according to the Moldova Statistical Databank. It is made up of 337 interviews from the main sample and 300 oversample interviews. The response rate for the main survey was 34% and 28% for the youth survey. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5 percentage points for the full sample and does not exceed 3.9% for the youth sample. The survey was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).