Worsening Economic Anxiety Fuels Mental Health Decline in Russia
Moscow – A growing sense of financial insecurity and diminishing hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine are contributing to a marked decline in the psychological well-being of Russians, according to a recent survey released by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ (RAS) Institute of Psychology.
The February study revealed that 42% of respondents reported symptoms associated with depression, while 27% experienced difficult-to-control anxiety. Overall, 31% of the population is displaying pronounced anxiety and depressive symptoms, signaling mounting social strain as the war enters its fifth year.
The impact is particularly acute in urban centers, where nearly half of residents (48%) report depressive symptoms and 30% report anxiety. Young adults aged 25-34, those with lower incomes, and workers in the private sector are identified as the most vulnerable groups.
“Rising prices and the effects of growing federal and regional budget deficits are now the main factors shaping Russians’ economic expectations,” the RAS Institute of Psychology stated.
Concerns about personal finances have intensified, with two-thirds of respondents expressing anxiety about their financial situation – an increase from 60% in December. This anxiety is most pronounced among public-sector workers and city dwellers. Worry about rising prices has reached 84%, up 7 percentage points from September 2025, and fears of a full-blown economic crisis have risen to 74%, a 9-point increase.
The survey paints a bleak picture of future expectations. Nearly half of respondents (47%) anticipate their family’s financial situation will worsen in the coming year, while 53% foresee a deterioration in the country’s overall economic conditions. A majority, 60%, believe the war in Ukraine will continue throughout 2026.
This pessimism extends to long-term prospects, with only 39% believing their children will enjoy a better quality of life. Furthermore, 42% hold a negative outlook on Russia’s economic prospects over the next five years.
The findings underscore a shift in the primary drivers of public sentiment. While hopes for an end to the war once offered a glimmer of optimism, economic anxieties are now dominating the Russian psyche.
The Moscow Times reported on New Year’s wishes among Russians, with a significant desire for peace being expressed, but the RAS survey suggests that even those hopes are fading, replaced by a more immediate concern for economic survival.
