The majority of Russians believe it is impossible to become a ruble millionaire without bending the rules, a poll conducted by independent Levada Center revealed Tuesday.
A mere 20 percent of Russians polled believe it is possible to earn millions of rubles in good faith, while 70 percent dismissed the prospect as a fantasy, the poll revealed. One million rubles is roughly equal to $17,700.
Forty-seven percent of Russians said they perceived millionaires negatively, as one cannot earn such wealth honestly.
The poll was conducted among 1,600 respondents, with the margin of error not exceeding 3.4 percent.
The average monthly salary in Russia stood at 34,377 rubles ($608) in April 2015, according to the State Statistics Service.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.