Russia's Happiness Index Hits Decade-Low Amid Declining Public Optimism

From a 2025 peak to record lows—what's behind Russia's shrinking happiness? Only 35% now feel optimistic, yet emotional strain lingers.

, and Administrator

2026 May 14 . 8:06 AM

1 min read

The image shows a Soviet propaganda poster on a wall with a picture of a city in the background.... — The image shows a Soviet propaganda poster on a wall with a picture of a city in the background. The poster features a group of people, buildings, and a sun, with text written on it. The people in the picture appear to be in a state of distress, with some of them looking up in fear and others looking down in despair. The buildings in the city are tall and imposing, and the sun is shining brightly in the sky, casting a warm glow over the scene.

Russia's Happiness Index Hits Decade-Low Amid Declining Public Optimism

Russia’s national happiness index has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade. In April 2023, the score dropped to 52 out of 100, marking a continued decline from previous years. Despite this, some measures of public sentiment have stayed the same or shifted only slightly. The latest figures show a steady decrease in overall happiness since late 2025. The index had reached a high of 66 in December of that year before beginning its downward trend. By comparison, the lowest recorded score was 41 in September 2011.

By the end of April 2023, only 35% of respondents described themselves as feeling optimistic. The emotional assessment index, however, remained unchanged at 11 points. Meanwhile, perceived tension saw a small increase, though researchers noted it stemmed mostly from internal pressures rather than outside influences.

The latest data confirms a clear drop in national happiness over recent years. With the index now at 52, it sits well below its 2025 peak. Analysts will continue to monitor whether internal factors drive further shifts in public mood.