One third of Russians hoard or are going to save for housing - VCIOM

UFA, 14 January 2015. /Bashinform News Agency, Elvira Latypova/. The popularity of real estate investment as a means of personal savings in Russia rose sharply in the last quarter. This is testified by polls conducted in December by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre. In the fourth quarter 33 percent of respondents hoarded or going to save for the purchase of housing, their number was significantly less in the third quarter- 25 percent.

Every fifth Russian, according to the respondents, is saving up for a "rainy day" or simply "just in case" (22 percent). Another 18 percent believe that the best investment is in their health. Others save for travelling and entertainment (12 percent), purchasing a car (10), a gardening plot (9), and various expensive items (6). 10 percent of respondents prepare for spending on education. Eight percent of Russians are ready to save for the job loss. Few invest in their own business and securities (two percent). Three percent of respondents are not going to save for any matters.

Inhabitants of Russia believe that real estate purchase is the most reliable way to store money - 50 percent of the poll participants chose this option. Other popular options are - to keep cash (23), to open an account in the Savings Bank (18 percent), to buy gold (16). There is less confidence in purchase of shares (5 percent), contributions to pension (5), mutual investment funds (3) and bank deposits (3).

The proportion of Russians having savings has not changed significantly over the last year: 32 percent. Well-to-do people (56 percent) and highly educated (44) are more inclined to make savings. 63 percent of Russians do not have savings at all.

During the December sociological research 1600 residents from 46 Russian regions were interviewed. The statistical error does not exceed 3.5 percent.