News and Press releases

• A survey conducted by Rating Group shows that 73% of Ukrainians believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, while 17% think it is moving in the right direction and 10% remain undecided. One-third of respondents (30%) expect 2021 to be better than the previous year, while a similar share (31%) believe it will be worse. Another 34% do not anticipate any changes. Since early January, expectations have become more pessimistic: at the beginning of the month, 52% believed the new year would be better. Younger respondents and supporters of Servant of the People and Holos tend to have more optimistic views.
• President Zelenskyy leads the presidential ranking. If elections were held soon, he would receive 21.2% of the vote among those who intend to participate and have made their choice. Yurii Boiko would receive 17.1%, Petro Poroshenko 16.4%, and Yulia Tymoshenko 12.3%. Ihor Smeshko is supported by 7.5%, Volodymyr Groysman by 4.3%, Oleh Liashko by 4.0%, Dmytro Razumkov by 3.2%, Serhii Prytula by 3.1%, Oleh Tyahnybok by 2.1%, and Vitali Klitschko by 1.1%.
• Second-round modelling confirms Zelenskyy’s lead against all major opponents: he would defeat Poroshenko 56% to 44%, Boiko 60% to 40%, and Tymoshenko 55% to 45%. In a hypothetical Boiko–Poroshenko runoff, the result is nearly even at 51% versus 49%.
• In the parliamentary ranking, Opposition Platform–For Life (18.9%) and Servant of the People (18.6%) are virtually tied for first place. European Solidarity holds 15.2%, Batkivshchyna 12.2%, Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman 4.8%, the Radical Party 4.7%, Syla i Chest 4.5%, Za Maibutnie 4.4%, Holos 3.5%, the Shariy Party 3.4%, Svoboda 3.1%, UDAR 2.4%, and Nash Krai 1.4%.
• Public support for political resets is high. Sixty-three percent back the idea of dissolving Parliament and holding early elections, while 30% oppose it. Sixty-two percent support the dismissal of the Government and the appointment of a new Cabinet, while 29% oppose. Half of respondents (50%) support the President’s resignation and snap presidential elections, while 46% do not. Over the past two months, support for early parliamentary elections has risen from 58% to 63%, for early presidential elections from 39% to 50%, and for appointing a new Cabinet from 60% to 62%.
• Fifty-eight percent support the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On the All-Ukrainian Referendum,” while 28% do not and 14% are undecided. Only 23% support granting Ukrainian citizens the legal right to own firearms; 75% oppose it.
• Protest actions demanding lower utility tariffs are supported by 89% of respondents, while 10% oppose them. When asked who bears the greatest responsibility for rising tariffs, 36% point to the Cabinet of Ministers, 29% to Parliament, and 24% to the President.

• A survey conducted by Rating Group recorded a decrease among respondents in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Levels of panic (which have remained low since the beginning of monitoring) and sleep disorders stayed relatively stable.
• Overall, the degree of negative emotional states among Ukrainians in early 2021, as well as their dynamics, does not raise concern. The decline in depression, anxiety, and fatigue is explained by the survey period (the winter holiday season), when public attention shifts toward a more optimistic and positive atmosphere — vacations, family gatherings, hopes and plans for the new year — as well as by people’s adaptation to pandemic-related lifestyle changes.
• Age. As in previous waves, emotional well-being declines with age. At the same time, anxiety levels remain relatively high across all age groups.
  Among respondents aged 60+, symptoms of depression, sleep disorders, and fatigue are strongly expressed. This is driven by age-related physiological factors, fear for personal health, and their perception of the external situation during the pandemic. Younger people show fewer negative emotional states due to faster adaptation, behavioral flexibility, and better health.
  Compared to spring 2020, all negative emotional indicators declined among young respondents (18–39). Depression, fatigue, and anxiety also decreased among those aged 40–59. Among the oldest group, improvement is noticeable only for fatigue, while other negative indicators remain high — largely due to their difficulty adjusting to change and heightened health risks.
• Gender. Women, as in previous waves, demonstrate higher levels across all emotional indicators compared to men. Among men, indices of anxiety, fatigue, depression, and sleep disorders decreased. Among women, fatigue, anxiety, and depression also declined, but levels of sleep disorders and panic remained stable. The largest gender gaps appear in the 51+ group, and the smallest among respondents aged 36–50.
• Interpersonal communication with family and close relatives is high: 78% communicate often or constantly (48% constantly, 30% often). One in five communicates rarely, and only 1% does not communicate at all. High communication levels are observed across all ages. The older the respondent, the more likely they are to communicate constantly — reflecting shifts in social roles, loss of professional ties, and increased reliance on family. Women communicate with relatives more frequently than men, fulfilling the relational and emotional labor traditionally associated with their social role.
• Respondents also frequently communicate with friends and colleagues (32% constantly, 29% often). Communication declines at older ages, although it tends to increase steadily until around age 60. Men communicate with friends and colleagues more often than women, unlike in family communication, where women dominate.
• Lower levels of negative emotional states are characteristic of those who communicate more often with close contacts. Social interaction serves as a form of social capital — a resource that supports mental well-being, stabilizes mood, and helps prevent depression and anxiety.
• Happiness. A majority consider themselves rather happy than unhappy: 29% feel very happy (up from 19% in spring 2020), 50% somewhat happy, 17% not very happy, and 2% completely unhappy. Happiness declines with age as younger people typically demonstrate higher optimism, confidence, activity, and future orientation.
• Sixty-four percent believe that happiness depends primarily on a person’s internal state (down from 70% in April 2020). This decline likely reflects ongoing unfavorable external conditions, such as the pandemic. Meanwhile, 27% believe happiness depends on external circumstances. Women more often view happiness as an internal state, and the happier a respondent is, the more likely they are to agree with this. Nearly half of unhappy respondents believe happiness depends on external factors.
• Levels of happiness are inversely correlated with negative emotional states: the happier a respondent is, the lower their levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and panic. Happiness, characterized by positive emotions, activity, and life satisfaction, acts as a psychological buffer. Those who believe their happiness depends on themselves, rather than circumstances, are less prone to negative emotions due to higher emotional self-regulation, stability, and confidence in their own resources.
• COVID-19. Respondents who frequently follow coronavirus news exhibit higher levels of negative emotional states. Visualizing risks and the future heightens anxiety and fear; continuous exposure increases rumination and “contamination” by negative information.
• Among those who believe they have already contracted the virus, negative emotional indicators — especially fatigue, sleep disorders, and anxiety — are significantly higher. Negative emotional states are also stronger among those who fear getting sick or worry about the health of relatives. Fear functions not only as an emotion but also as a cognitive scenario that intensifies anxiety and panic.
  Supporters of vaccination show slightly higher negative emotional indicators because this group contains more people who fear infection. Among supporters of lockdown restrictions, sleep disorders, panic, and fatigue levels are also higher — largely due to the older age composition of this group and their elevated fear of illness.

•  According to the survey carried out by the Sociological Group Rating on January 14-16, 2021, 51% of respondents follow the news on the coronavirus often, 26% - sometimes, 12% - rarely. 10% are not interested in such news at all. Older age group is more interested in the coronavirus news. Considering the dynamics, the relevance of news about the coronavirus has been gradually decreasing.
• Compared to the previous waves of the surveys, the level of anxiety over possibility to get coronavirus (either personally or relatives/friends) has decreased. Thus, about 40% are worried to become COVID-19 patients personally (in November 2020 - 57%). 78% are worried about the possible disease of relatives and friends (in November - 87%). Older respondents and women are more concerned about the possible disease. 
• 16% of respondents believe they had already had or currently have COVID-19. 80% of respondents think they had not been sick. 4% could not answer the question. Relatively higher number of those who reported they had gotten over the disease was recorded in cities and within the middle-aged group (30-59 years). 
• The lockdown introduction from 18th till 24th January, 2021 is supported by 51%, 46% share the opposing opinion. Support for this initiative among the population has decreased (56% - in December). 40% believe this introduction of quarantine will reduce the incidence rate (in December - 52%). 55% are of the opposing opinion. Even among those who support lockdown, one-third does not consider it effective. Older people, women, and those who are afraid of getting sick are more in favor of this initiative. 
• 39% are ready to be vaccinated against coronavirus if the vaccine is available in pharmacies, 56% are not ready. Provided that vaccination is free, 43% are ready to be vaccinated (52% are not ready). Support for free vaccination has decreased considering the dynamics (55% supported free vaccination in November). Instead, the number of those willing to be vaccinated with a paid vaccine has increased somewhat. The number of vaccination opponents is relatively higher among the middle-aged group (30-49 years), women, residents of small towns, and those who are not afraid of getting sick. 

• Results of the survey carried out by the Sociological Group Rating revealed that more than half of the polled Ukrainians (52%) expect 2021 to be better as compared to the previous year. 27% of respondents do not expect changes in the coming year, while 18% believe that 2021 will be worse than 2020. The best expectations were revealed by young people and women.
• The majority of Ukrainians (74%) face the new 2021 with optimism, and only 18% - with pessimism. Residents of Kyiv and Western oblasts, young people, “Sluha Narodu”, “Za Maybutnye”, “Ukrainian Strategy”, and “Holos” parties’ voters are more optimistic in their expectations.
• The rating of trust among national politicians is headed by President Zelenskyy: 41% trust him, 54% - do not.
• 29% of respondents trust D.Razumkov, 37% - distrust (29% - do not know him). 27% trust Y.Boyko, 55% distrust him, 12% do not know him. Y.Tymoshenko is trusted by 26%, distrusted by 69%; Poroshenko - 23% and 73% respectively. Prime Minister D.Shmygal is trusted by 14%, more than a quarter do not know him, and more than half distrust him.
• Presidential rating is headed by V.Zelenskyy. If the elections were held in the nearest future, 26.2% of those who intend to vote and have decided on the choice would have supported him. 16.6% would have voted for Y.Boyko, 13.3% - for P.Poroshenko, 10.5% - Y.Tymoshenko, 6.4% - I.Smeshko, 6.1% - V.Hroysman, 4.7% - O.Lyashko, 4.1% - S.Prytula, 2.6% - O.Tyahnybok, 2.3%- V.Klitschko.
• The leader of the parliamentary rating is “Sluha Narodu” party - 21.6% of those who intend to vote and have decided on the choice are ready to support it. 17.4% are ready to vote for “Opposition Platform – Za Zhyttia”, 14.5% - for “European Solidarity”, and 10.9% - for “Batkivshchyna” party. 5.7% would vote for “Ukrainian Strategy” of Hroysman, 5.6% - for “Radical Part”, 3.7% - “Za Maybutnye”, 3.2% - “Svoboda”, 3.1% - “UDAR” of Vitaliy Klitschko, 2.9% - “Shariy Party”, 2.8% (each) - “Holos” and “Syla i Chest”, 2.2% - “Nash Krai”.
• 70% of respondents have watched New Year's greeting of President Zelenskyy. Among them, 43% rated it positively, 35% - neutrally, 21% - negatively. The number of the latter is the highest among residents of the East, senior respondents, and voters of “Shariy Party”, “Opposition Platform”, “European Solidarity”, and “Svoboda” parties.
• 77% of respondents celebrate Christmas on January 7th. 15% celebrate the holiday twice, both according to the Julian calendar (January, 7) and the Gregorian calendar (December, 25). Only 3% celebrate Christmas once on December, 25. At the same time, 5% do not celebrate Christmas at all. Most of those who celebrate Christmas either twice or in accordance with the new style was recorded in the Western regions and in Kiev.
• 56% of respondents said that Christmas was their favorite holiday among New Year celebrations. 28% named the New Year itself, 6% - St. Nicholas Day, and 3% - the so-called “Old” New Year.
• Two-thirds of the polled said they believed in St. Nicholas, 35% - did not believe. Lower number (31%) believes in Santa Claus, 65% do not believe. Over the last year, the number of those who believe in St. Nicholas has increased, while the number of those who believe in Santa Claus has hardly changed.
• Preferences about the New Year's main character and favorite holiday have clear regional differences: most of those who believe in St. Nicholas and name Christmas as their favorite holiday was recorded in the West, while relatively higher number of those who believe in Santa Claus and name New Year as their favorite holiday was recorded in the South and East. Despite this, even in the Southern and Eastern regions, the number of those who believe in Santa Claus is still less as compared to the number of those who believe in St. Nicholas, and Christmas is the most popular holiday along with the New Year.

• According to the results of a survey by Rating Group conducted on December 16–20, 18% believe that overall affairs in Ukraine are moving in the right direction, while the majority (71%) hold the opposite view.
• More than 70% believe that the economic situation in Ukraine has worsened over the past six months, 17% think it has not changed, and only 7% have noticed an improvement. As for the financial situation of their families, 56% felt a deterioration, 37% reported no change, and only 7% reported improvement. Expectations for the future are also not very optimistic: only 16% believe that the economic situation in Ukraine will improve in the next 6 months, 32% believe it will not change, and 47% expect deterioration.
• Among the population, the prevailing emotions are disappointment (42%) and hope (32%).
• Citizens consider the key nationwide problems to be corruption, the war in Donbas, the economic crisis, incompetence of the authorities, and the coronavirus epidemic. At the personal level, low quality of healthcare is added to these problems, and the economic crisis already tops the “problem ranking.”
• Overall, most respondents see the cause of a possible economic crisis in the incompetence of the authorities (63%), although a quarter believe that the economic downturn will occur due to the coronavirus. Another 9% see the war in Donbas as the cause. At the same time, the share of those who explain the economic situation by the incompetence of the authorities has increased over the past six months from 53% to 63%.
• 32% of respondents are satisfied with the activities of President Zelenskyy, while 65% are not satisfied. 30% are satisfied with the work of the Head of the Verkhovna Rada Razumkov, 51% are not satisfied, and 19% could not assess it. 16% are satisfied with the activities of the Prime Minister, 65% are not satisfied, and 18% could not assess it. Citizens are least satisfied with the work of the Government and Parliament – almost 80% gave negative assessments, and only about 12% gave positive ones.
• 46% of respondents noted that what they like most about the new government is the desire for change, 17% – integrity, 13% – independence from oligarchs. When assessing features they do not like in the authorities, respondents were more definite: 40% said they dislike incompetence, 36% – dependence on oligarchs, 28% each – corruption and chaos, 14% – inefficiency. Over the past six months, assessments of inefficiency have decreased, while assessments of incompetence, corruption, and chaos have increased.
• Respondents are more likely not to support (58%) than to support (39%) the idea of the President’s resignation and early presidential elections. On the other hand, the idea of dissolving Parliament and holding early parliamentary elections is supported by more respondents (58%) than those who do not support it (39%). The initiative to dismiss the Government is supported by 60% of respondents, while 35% do not support it.
• The trust rating among national politicians is led by President Zelenskyy, who is trusted by 41% and not trusted by 56%.
• 30% of respondents trust V. Klitschko, while 58% do not trust him. V. Groysman is trusted by 29% and not trusted by 61%. D. Razumkov is trusted by 27% and not trusted by 30% (another 27% do not know him). Y. Tymoshenko is trusted by 25% and not trusted by 73%. Y. Boiko is trusted by 24% and not trusted by 55% (17% do not know him). P. Poroshenko is trusted by 23% and not trusted by 74%. V. Medvedchuk is trusted by 19% and not trusted by 66% (12% do not know him). The current Prime Minister D. Shmyhal is trusted by 16%, a quarter do not know him, and more than half do not trust him.
• The best trust/distrust balance is held by President Zelenskyy (-15%) and the Head of Parliament Razumkov (-13%). For V. Klitschko the difference is -28%, Y. Boiko – -31%, V. Groysman – -32%, D. Shmyhal – -38%. The worst indicators are for V. Rabinovych (-46%), V. Medvedchuk (-47%), Y. Tymoshenko (-48%), and P. Poroshenko (-51%).
• The presidential rating is led by V. Zelenskyy. If elections were held in the near future, he would be supported by 26.5% of those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. P. Poroshenko would receive 14.3%, Y. Boiko – 10.1%, Y. Tymoshenko – 9.8%. V. Medvedchuk – 7.7%, V. Groysman – 6.4%, I. Smeshko – 6.0%, D. Razumkov – 4.1%, O. Liashko – 3.6%. The rating of other candidates does not exceed 3%.
• In the parliamentary rating, the leading party is “Servant of the People,” which is supported by 21.1% among those ready to vote and who have decided on their choice. “Opposition Platform – For Life” would be supported by 17.3%, “European Solidarity” by 15.2%, and “Batkivshchyna” by 10.9%. 4.8% would support the Radical Party and the party “Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman,” 4.3% – the party “For the Future,” 3.8% – the party “Strength and Honor,” 3.5% – “Holos,” 3.4% each – the Shariy Party and VO “Svoboda,” and 3.3% – UDAR of Vitalii Klitschko. The rating of other political forces is below 2%.

• According to the results of a survey by Rating Group conducted on December 12–14, 2020, 59% often follow news about the coronavirus, 21% do so sometimes, 11% – rarely. 8% are not interested in such news at all. Older people and women follow coronavirus news more frequently. Compared to early November, the share of respondents who actively follow coronavirus news decreased from 65 to 59%, and this is also lower than in April, during the first lockdown.
• 49% of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat the coronavirus to be optimal. 29% believe they are too soft, 9% – on the contrary, too strict.
• 82% believe that Ukraine currently lacks more order, even if this limits certain freedoms. 10% believe that more freedoms are needed, even if this reduces order. Over the past 3 years, demand for order has grown significantly (from 63 to 82%).
• 45% are convinced that the official statistics on the scale of coronavirus in the country are understated. 31% instead believe that this information is exaggerated, and only 15% are convinced that it is objective. Compared to March, the share of those who consider coronavirus statistics exaggerated has tripled (from 11 to 31%). Young people and those who rarely follow coronavirus news are more likely to believe the statistics are exaggerated.
• 36% of respondents are satisfied with President Zelenskyy's performance in fighting the coronavirus epidemic, 60% – not satisfied. 29% are satisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Health in combating the epidemic, 67% – not satisfied. 28% are satisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 61% – not satisfied, 12% could not evaluate. Among central authorities, respondents are the most dissatisfied with the work of the Cabinet of Ministers (71%) and the Verkhovna Rada (77%).
• 76% of respondents are well aware that the Government decided to introduce a strict quarantine (lockdown) from January 8 to 24, 2021, 20% – have heard something about it, 4% – do not know.
• 56% support the Government's decision to introduce a strict quarantine beginning January 8, 41% – oppose it. 52% believe that the spread of the coronavirus will decrease as a result of the lockdown, 45% – hold the opposite opinion.
• 63% support banning rallies and demonstrations during the strict quarantine, 35% – do not support it.
• More than 70% of respondents support closing gyms, cinemas, as well as restaurants and cafes under strict quarantine (a quarter oppose it). Closing schools is supported by 54% (43% oppose), kindergartens – 48% (47% oppose). The least support is given to closing food markets (31% – for, 67% – against), intercity public transport (23% – for, 75% – against), and public transport in general (18% – for, 80% – against).
• The trust rating among politicians is led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is trusted by 43% of respondents, 54% – do not trust. Vitali Klitschko is trusted by 32%, Volodymyr Groysman – 29%.
• Dmytro Razumkov is trusted by 26%, Yuliia Tymoshenko – 25%. Yurii Boiko – 24%. Petro Poroshenko – 22%, Denys Shmyhal – 15%.
• Among the main achievements of 2020, respondents noted the announcement of the “silence regime,” the ceasefire in Donbas (51%), road construction (43%), and the release of Vitaliy Markiv from imprisonment in Italy (21%).
• The political and economic cooperation agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom – 17%, the “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%” program – 14%, the launch of the “Diia” app (digital passport, driver’s license) – 13%. Legalization of gambling, local elections, and the opening of the land market were chosen by 5–9%.
• 13% of respondents believe that there were no achievements in 2020.

‍

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group showed that among key medical institutions, respondents trust the World Health Organization the most (47%). 32% do not trust this institution. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is trusted by 33%, while 54% do not trust it. The National Health Service is trusted by 24%, not trusted by 40%, and 29% know nothing about its activities. The Public Health Center is trusted by 21%, not trusted by 38%, and 34% know nothing about its activities. The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Care and Medical Insurance is trusted by 15%, not trusted by 54%, and 24% know nothing about its activities. In dynamics over the past few months, there has been an increase in the level of trust in state governance institutions in the field of healthcare.
• Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov is trusted by 19%, not trusted by 34%, and 37% do not know him. Former minister Ulana Suprun is trusted by 15%, not trusted by 67%, and 12% do not know her. Almost half of respondents do not know former ministers Illia Yemets and Zoryana Skaletska. About 8–10% trust them, while about a third do not trust them.
• 66% trust pediatrician and TV host Yevhen Komarovskyi, while 20% do not trust him. 32% trust the Director of the Heart Institute Borys Todurov, 16% do not trust him, and 48% do not know him. Chief Sanitary Doctor Viktor Liashko is trusted by 32%, not trusted by 39%, and 20% do not know him. Olha Holubovska (a well-known infectious disease specialist, Doctor of Medical Sciences) is trusted by 20%, not trusted by 11%, and 64% do not know her. Alla Shcherbynska (Director of the Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS) is trusted by 11%, not trusted by 11%, and 75% do not know her. Mykhailo Radutskyi (Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Healthcare) is trusted by 8%, not trusted by 26%, and 60% do not know him. Ihor Kuzin (Director of the Public Health Center) is trusted by 8%, not trusted by 12%, and 77% do not know him.
• 70% of respondents consider the coronavirus a real threat personally to themselves and their families. 35% constantly wear masks, while 63% wear them only in places with large concentrations of people (transport, shops, markets, etc.). Only 2% neglect wearing masks.
• When assessing the coronavirus crisis, 50% are more afraid of its economic consequences. 34% fear the disease itself more than financial difficulties. The latter group is larger among older people, women, and rural residents.
• About 40% of respondents believe that success in combating coronavirus depends to a greater extent on the President and the Ministry of Health. 32% believe it depends on Minister of Health Stepanov. 17–18% place their hopes on Parliament and the Government, and 13% on the Prime Minister.
• 79% of respondents support the idea of mass testing of the population and mandatory isolation of identified patients as a way to combat coronavirus. 17% hold the opposite opinion. 73% believe in the effectiveness of this measure, while 19% do not.
• The main sources from which respondents receive information about coronavirus are national television (especially among older people) and Internet websites (especially among younger people) – 56% each of all respondents. About a quarter also receive information from Facebook or from relatives and acquaintances. 10–11% receive information from YouTube, Instagram, and radio, 8–9% from the press and Viber and Telegram groups (Coronavirus-info), and 6% from the official website of the Ministry of Health.

• According to the results of a survey by Rating Group conducted on November 28–30, 2020, 59% often follow news about the coronavirus, 21% do so sometimes, 11% – rarely. 8% are not interested in such news at all. Older people and women follow coronavirus news more often.
• 45% of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat the coronavirus to be optimal. 30% believe they are too soft, 11% – on the contrary, too strict. Over the past two weeks, the share of those who consider the authorities’ actions too soft has slightly increased.
• 36% assessed their emotional state over the past week as calm, 33% – as tense. Over the last two weeks, indicators of tension have slightly increased. A higher level of anxiety is recorded among women, older people, and those who more often follow news about the coronavirus.
• 34% of respondents are satisfied with President Zelenskyy’s performance in combating the coronavirus epidemic, 62% – are not satisfied. 28% are satisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Health in fighting the epidemic, 68% – are not satisfied. 28% are satisfied with the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 60% – are not satisfied, 12% could not assess it. Among central government bodies, respondents are most dissatisfied with the work of the Cabinet of Ministers (72%) and the Verkhovna Rada (78%).
• Over the past two weeks, support for the “weekend quarantine” has decreased from 49 to 44% (the share of opponents increased from 49 to 54%). Only 34% expect that its introduction will reduce the spread of the coronavirus, while 64% do not agree with this.
• At the same time, support for the introduction of a “strict quarantine” (lockdown) increased from 36 to 42% (the share of opponents decreased from 61 to 55%). Similarly, the share of respondents who believe that the spread of the coronavirus will decrease as a result of a lockdown increased from 55 to 58%. At the same time, 58% support introducing a lockdown during the New Year holidays (40% – are against this).
• 75% of respondents support the introduction of fines for being in public places and transport without masks, 25% – are against this. Over the past two weeks, Ukrainians’ attitudes toward fines for being in public places and transport without masks have not changed.
• 60% support the introduction of fines for establishments operating in violation of the “weekend quarantine,” 37% – do not support this.
• 55% are personally ready to get vaccinated against the coronavirus if the vaccine is free of charge (40% – are not ready). At the same time, if the vaccine is paid, fewer people are willing to get vaccinated – 35%, while 57% would not do so in that case. Supporters of free coronavirus vaccination are more common among older people and residents of villages, while supporters of paid vaccination are more common among young people and residents of Kyiv.
• The trust rating among politicians is led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is trusted by 44% of respondents, while 53% do not trust him. Vitali Klitschko is trusted by 33%, Volodymyr Groysman – by 31%.
• Dmytro Razumkov is trusted by 27%, Yuliia Tymoshenko – by 26%. Yurii Boiko – by 24%. Petro Poroshenko – by 23%. Arsen Avakov – by 22%.
• Arsenii Yatseniuk is trusted by 15%, Denys Shmyhal – by 15%, Andrii Yermak – by 9%.

‍

Aggregated party rating in local elections is the sum of party results in elections to regional councils, in Kyiv – to the city council, and in Donetsk and Luhansk regions – to district councils. Source: data from territorial election commissions and monitoring surveys by Rating Group (September–October 2020).

• Analysis of the results of local elections showed that voter turnout in western regions was higher than in the southeastern ones. For example, while turnout on October 25 in Ternopil and Lviv regions was about 44%, in southeastern regions only about a third of voters came to the polls. As a result, the share of western regions in the total voter base increased from 27% to 31%.
• According to the aggregated party rating in local elections, the conditional 5% threshold was passed by Servant of the People (14.5%), European Solidarity (13.7%), Opposition Platform – For Life (12.5%), For the Future (8.6%), and Batkivshchyna (8.5%). Percentages are calculated from the total number of votes cast for parties.
• Our Land received 3.9% support overall, Svoboda – 3.3%, the Radical Party of Lyashko – 2.4%, Strength and Honor – 2.4%, Proposition – 2.2%, UDAR of Vitali Klitschko – 2.0%, Holos – 1.7%, Shariy’s Party – 1.4%, Palchevskyi’s Victory – 0.8%.
• The combined rating of other (mostly local) parties is about 22%.
• The total support for the five parliamentary parties in these elections was 51% (in the 2019 parliamentary elections they received 78%). At the same time, in regions where strong local parties were not present, parliamentary parties received significantly more support in local elections.
• A comparative analysis of Rating Group polling results and election outcomes showed a fairly high accuracy of forecasts (average deviation for party results is 0.7%), and minor deviations are explained by the shift in actual turnout toward western regions and the relatively low share of youth among those who actually voted on October 25.
• The Servant of the People party took leading positions (1st–3rd place) in Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv regions.
• Opposition Platform – For Life received high results in the southern and eastern regions, as well as in Sumy region.
• European Solidarity took higher positions in the Halychyna regions, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Rivne, and Chernivtsi regions, and in Kyiv city.
• The For the Future party recorded leading positions in Volyn, as well as in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Poltava regions.
• Batkivshchyna received high results in Kirovohrad, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Poltava, and Chernivtsi regions.
• The Our Land party took high positions in Luhansk, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions; Svoboda – in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil; the Radical Party of Lyashko – in Chernihiv; UDAR – in Kyiv; Proposition – in Dnipropetrovsk.
• Local parties became winners in Vinnytsia (Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman), Zakarpattia (Native Zakarpattia), Poltava (Dovira), Kharkiv (Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv!), Khmelnytskyi (Simchyshyn’s Team), Cherkasy (Cherkasy Region Party), and Chernihiv (Native Home). They also held leading positions in Kherson (We Live Here!), Khmelnytskyi (For Concrete Actions), and Chernivtsi (The Only Alternative) regions.

• According to the results of a survey by Rating Group, conducted on November 15–17, 2020, 62% often follow news about the coronavirus, 20% do so occasionally, 11% – rarely. 7% are not interested in such news at all. Older people and women follow coronavirus news more frequently.
• 48% of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat the coronavirus to be optimal. 24% consider them too soft, 11% – on the contrary, too strict.
• Almost 70% of respondents are very worried that someone close to them might get sick with the coronavirus. At the same time, they worry about their own health almost twice less. Since March, the number of those who are very worried about a possible illness has somewhat increased. There are more such people among rural residents, older individuals, and women.
• 41% assessed their emotional state over the past week as calm, while 29% described it as tense. Compared to March, indicators of tension have slightly increased. A higher level of anxiety is recorded among women, older people, and those who more often follow coronavirus news and fear getting sick.
• 35% of respondents are satisfied with President Zelensky’s performance in combating the coronavirus epidemic, 60% – not satisfied. 33% are satisfied with the work of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Razumkov, 48% – not satisfied, 18% could not evaluate it. 23% are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister Shmyhal, 60% – not satisfied, 18% could not evaluate it. Among central authorities, respondents are most dissatisfied with the work of the Cabinet of Ministers (67%) and the Verkhovna Rada (72%). 32% are satisfied with the work of Minister of Health Stepanov, 55% – not satisfied. 36% are satisfied with the work of the police, 51% – not satisfied.
• 75% of respondents support introducing fines for being in public places and on public transport without masks; 24% oppose this. Fines are more often supported by women and older people; support is highest in Kyiv and lowest in the South.
• 83% of respondents say they often wear a protective mask, 14% – occasionally or rarely, 3% – almost never. 70% often disinfect their hands, 23% – occasionally or rarely, 6% – almost never. Only 14% often use protective gloves, 33% – occasionally or rarely, 53% – almost never. Compared to March, frequent mask use has increased significantly (from 58% to 83%), while use of protective gloves has decreased substantially (from 38% to 14%).
• 85% know that the Government has introduced a “weekend quarantine,” while 15% have only heard something about it or are hearing about it for the first time.
• Attitudes toward the introduction of the “weekend quarantine” are polarized: half of respondents support it, and just as many oppose it. At the same time, only 35% expect that its introduction will reduce the spread of the coronavirus, while 62% disagree with this.
• Meanwhile, 61% consider the introduction of a “hard quarantine” (lockdown) impractical (36% support it). However, its effectiveness is assessed significantly higher than that of the “weekend quarantine”: 55% believe that the spread of the coronavirus will decrease as a result of the lockdown, while 42% hold the opposite view.
• The absolute majority of respondents believe that funds from the special coronavirus response fund should primarily be directed toward purchasing protective equipment for doctors, equipping hospital beds with medical oxygen, purchasing medicines and equipment for hospitals, providing additional payments to doctors and those involved in combating the coronavirus, and increasing coronavirus testing.
• Allocating fund resources for the construction of mobile hospitals is considered necessary by 81% (15% consider it unnecessary), and compensation to entrepreneurs for forced downtime due to quarantine restrictions is also supported by 81% (17% consider it unnecessary).
• The least supported use of the special coronavirus fund is road construction (here opinions are split: 48% support allocating funds for this purpose, while 50% do not).
• The trust rating of politicians is headed by Volodymyr Zelensky, who is trusted by 46% of respondents and not trusted by 51%.
• Dmytro Razumkov is trusted by 32% and not trusted by 36%, while 26% do not know him. Yuliia Tymoshenko is trusted by 25% and not trusted by 72%. Yurii Boiko is trusted by 24% and not trusted by 52%. Petro Poroshenko is trusted by 23% and not trusted by 74%. Arsen Avakov is trusted by 22% and not trusted by 67%.
• Denys Shmyhal is trusted by 18% and not trusted by 54%, and almost a quarter have not heard of him. Maksym Stepanov is trusted by 19% and not trusted by 36% (41% do not know him). Andrii Yermak is trusted by 12% and not trusted by 43% (40% do not know him). Iryna Venediktova is trusted by 9% and not trusted by 38% (almost 50% have not heard of her).

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group in early November showed that in the parliamentary rating the leading party is “Servant of the People,” which is supported by 22.7% of those who intend to vote and have made their choice. 17.1% are ready to vote for the “Opposition Platform – For Life,” 15.4% for “European Solidarity,” 8.0% for “Batkivshchyna,” 4.5% for “For the Future,” 4.3% for the “Strength and Honor” party, 4.3% for the Radical Party of Lyashko, 3.7% for UDAR of Vitalii Klitschko, 3.6% for “Holos,” 3.5% for the “Svoboda” party, 3.4% for the Shariy Party, and 3.1% for the “Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman” party. The rating of other political forces is below 3%.
• The “Servant of the People” party maintains strong positions in the southern regions. The “Opposition Platform – For Life” has an advantage in the south-eastern regions, “Batkivshchyna” in the central-western regions, “European Solidarity” in the western regions and in Kyiv, and “For the Future” in the western regions.
• Residents of cities more often vote for the “Opposition Platform – For Life,” “European Solidarity,” “Holos,” and the Shariy Party. At the same time, “Batkivshchyna,” “For the Future,” and the Radical Party of Lyashko have higher support among residents of rural areas. The electorate of the “Servant of the People” party is relatively evenly distributed by type of settlement.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group showed that 80% of survey participants are convinced that issuing a fiscal receipt protects consumer rights. 16% hold a different opinion. The latter are relatively more common among entrepreneurs.
• 48% of respondents are convinced that guaranteeing safety and quality when purchasing goods and services in Ukraine should primarily be the responsibility of the entrepreneur who sells the goods or provides the services. 44%, on the other hand, believe this should be ensured by state consumer protection authorities. The latter view is relatively more common among older and less affluent respondent groups.
• 53% believe that expanding the number of sectors required to issue fiscal receipts will lead to better order in tax collection, while 33% believe this will complicate doing business. The latter opinion is most widespread among those who own a business (55%).
• The vast majority of consumers are not ready to purchase risk-group goods without receiving a fiscal receipt (more than 60%). This is especially true for complex household appliances and electronics, where more than 80% are not ready to buy them without a receipt. More than 70% also do not support the initiative to abolish fiscal receipts when purchasing risky categories of goods.
• Almost 70% are not ready to file a complaint with the State Tax Service in cases where a seller did not issue a fiscal receipt and to receive a monetary reward amounting to 100% of the product’s value. 28% stated that they could do so if a receipt was not provided. Compared to last year, the share of such respondents has slightly increased (in October 2019 it was 20%). A relative majority of those willing to file such complaints are younger respondents, those who expressed a desire to have their own business but do not yet have one, and those who have not encountered situations of non-issuance of receipts over the past year.
• 66% support legislative initiatives by the authorities aimed at eliminating schemes of tax evasion by businesses. A quarter are opposed to such innovations. The latter are relatively more common among those who already own a business or plan to start one (around one third).
• 51% believe that expanding the use of cash registers (RRO) is rather a way to bring order to tax payments. At the same time, 37% are convinced that this constitutes pressure on small businesses. This opinion is particularly widespread among those who own a business (63%).
• Two thirds agree with the statement that strengthening state control over business activities improves the quality of goods and services. One third hold the opposite view. About half (54%) agree that only sellers who honestly pay taxes can provide quality goods and services.
• A predominant share of respondents (from 55% to 60%) support the following initiatives: creating an application similar to Privat24 or Monobank that would allow entrepreneurs to issue fiscal receipts in electronic format, the possibility of receiving an electronic receipt instead of a paper one when making purchases, expanding the scope of cash register (RRO) use (56%), and providing cashback to consumers in the amount of 100% if a seller does not issue a fiscal receipt for goods (55%). Every third to fifth respondent is opposed to these innovations. The introduction of large fines for businesses selling goods without receipts was supported by a relative majority of Ukrainian respondents (47%), while a significant share opposed this initiative (37%). This measure is perceived particularly critically among entrepreneurs.
• Respondents did not support such government initiatives as additional taxes on the purchase of smartphones, televisions, and tablets aimed at increasing payments to authors of songs, music, films, and other intellectual products, as well as the introduction of one-time asset declarations (at a rate of 9–10%) by citizens for property and funds on which taxes were not paid (around 50–60%).
• One of the main motives when purchasing risk-group goods (medicines and medical products, complex household appliances, electronics, and auto parts) is the price of the product, especially when purchasing medicines. For auto parts and electrical equipment, warranty support and the possibility of returning goods are also important. For the latter group of goods, store brand recognition also plays a certain role in purchasing decisions.
• 47% of respondents made purchases of goods and services from domestic companies online over the past year, while 53% did not have such experience. Among the information most often sought by those who made online purchases was a phone number (78%). Half of respondents were interested in the company’s address (physical and legal), legal name, license availability, and email address. At the same time, for about 40% of such consumers this information was not of interest. Consumers were least interested in the seller’s form of entrepreneurial activity and identification number/EDRPOU code identifying the entrepreneur as a business entity. At the same time, 54% confirm the statement that the ability to obtain full information about the seller is a guarantee of high quality of goods and services.
• 14% stated that they have the “Diia” application installed on their smartphone. Another 11% would like or plan to install it. 51% do not have it and do not plan to install it, while 24% do not have smartphones. Among those who have the application or want to install it, 68% would not mind having a “Consumer+” page in the application with electronic receipts, product warranties, and a list of sellers identified as business entities who do not conceal this information when consumers request returns, exchanges, or warranty repairs.
• The majority (54%) do not support the introduction of mandatory income declaration for all categories of citizens with obligatory annual tax filings. 38% support this initiative. Supporters are relatively more common among residents of Western Ukraine, younger respondents, and more affluent individuals.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group showed that when assessing changes in the fight against corruption over the past year, 47% of respondents did not see any progress, 34% believe the situation has worsened, and 14% observed positive changes. The index of changes in the fight against corruption is significantly higher than in 2018, but somewhat worse compared to 2019.
• 39% of respondents are well informed about the decision of the Constitutional Court that abolished electronic asset declarations and the system of access to information on the assets and incomes of senior officials, 36% have heard something about it, while 25% are hearing about it for the first time. Older people and residents of the capital are the most informed.
• Only 11% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the Constitutional Court’s decision, 25% are neutral, while the majority (59%) view it negatively. At the same time, among respondents who are well familiar with the content of the decision, negative attitudes reach 83%. The most negative attitudes toward the Constitutional Court’s decision are observed among older people, residents of the capital, Western and Central Ukraine, and supporters of European Solidarity, Holos, and the Strength and Honor party.
• The majority of respondents (60%) do not trust the Constitutional Court. Among those who are well familiar with the content of the decision to abolish electronic declarations for senior officials, distrust of the institution reaches almost 80%. Supporters of European Solidarity, Holos, Batkivshchyna, the Shariy party, Strength and Honor, and Servant of the People demonstrate the highest levels of distrust toward the Constitutional Court.
• Almost 60% of respondents support the President’s draft law proposing the termination of the powers of the current composition of the Constitutional Court. 27% do not support it, and 16% are undecided.
• The majority of respondents (55%) have a negative attitude toward the possible cancellation of the visa-free regime with the European Union, only 11% view it positively, and 31% are neutral. The most negative attitudes toward the possible cancellation of the visa-free regime are observed among young people, residents of the capital and Western Ukraine, and supporters of European Solidarity, Svoboda, Holos, and the Servant of the People party.

‍
‍
 

• According to the results of the Electoral and Behavioral Study conducted by Rating Group on election day (25 October), older voters were more active in the 2020 local elections: 56% of those who came to vote were people aged over 50, while in the overall structure of the electorate their share is 45%.
• At the same time, young people were less active: only 11% of those who came to vote were aged 18–29, although their share in the overall structure of the electorate is 18%.
• The greatest imbalance toward the older electorate occurred mainly in cities and more often among men. In the regional breakdown, this was more common in the East and South of the country, where the share of voters aged over 50 reached 60%.
• An analysis of responses from respondents who did not vote on 25 October showed that among women the most common reasons for not voting were health conditions and the threat of coronavirus, while among men the main reasons were being busy on election day, lack of interest in the elections, and lack of interest in their results.
• In the age breakdown, for older respondents the main reason for not voting was health status, while for young people it was being busy on election day and living outside the place of registration (especially relevant for Kyiv). For people of middle age, the threat of coronavirus was an additional reason.

‍

• According to the electoral and behavioral study by the Rating Group conducted on election day, October 25, 2020, among those who voted in the local elections, 40% said that it was difficult for them to understand the ballots: 13% said it was very difficult and 27% said it was somewhat difficult. At the same time, 35% of voters said it was quite easy to do so, and 25% said it was very easy.
• Among those who voted, the majority believe that local elections are important for the country (79%). At the same time, among those who did not go to the polls, only about half share this view. Voters are also more optimistic about the future than non-voters: 47% of voters believe that the situation in their city or village will improve as a result of these elections, 38% think it will not change. Among non-voters, only 20% believe the situation will improve, while the majority (58%) think it will not change and 13% expect it to worsen.
• Among those who did not vote, a relative majority feel disappointment about the situation in the country — 63%, while 32% of them feel hope. Those who voted give more mixed answers: 44% feel hope and 51% feel disappointment about the country.
• Overall, among all emotions felt by voters, hope (51%) and interest (24%) prevail, while among those who did not vote, disappointment dominates (35%).
• Among the polling stations covered by the Rating Group study, a presidential poll was conducted at 69% of stations. At those stations where the presidential poll was not conducted, the majority said they would have participated in it if it had been held (67%). Overall, participation in the presidential poll was highest among voters of the Servant of the People party (63% participated, 37% did not), and lowest among voters of the European Solidarity party (27% participated, 73% did not).
• Respondents gave the following answers to the five questions posed by the President. Support for Ukraine’s right to use security guarantees defined by the Budapest Memorandum was expressed by 78% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 10% did not support it and 12% were unable to answer. Among those who participated in the elections but not in the presidential poll, 56% support this right, 13% do not, and 31% were unable to answer.
• Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes to alleviate pain for seriously ill patients is supported by 70% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 24% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 52% support it, 28% do not, and 20% were unable to answer.
• The idea of life imprisonment for corruption on a particularly large scale is supported by 81% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 16% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not take part in the presidential poll, 63% support this idea, 21% do not, and 16% are undecided.
• The idea of creating a free economic zone in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is supported by 45% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 43% do not support it and 12% are undecided. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 33% support this idea, 39% do not, and 28% are undecided.
• The idea of reducing the number of Members of Parliament to 300 is supported by 95% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 4% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 81% support it, 7% do not, and 13% are undecided.
• Among those who did not vote in the elections, 20% named health condition as the main reason, 19% said they do not live at their place of registration, 15% were busy on election day, and 14% did not know whom to vote for. For 12%, elections are uninteresting, and 10% cited the coronavirus epidemic. For 4%, there were no elections in their city or village, and another 4% were not included in the voter lists.
• If there had been an opportunity to vote electronically from home, 46% of those who did not vote in the local elections say they would have voted, 13% say the chances are 50/50, 14% say they possibly would have voted, and 25% say they would not have voted.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on October 20–21 recorded a gradual increase in interest in the President’s poll. Thus, 70% of respondents know that President Zelenskyy announced a nationwide poll to be held on election day, October 25 (35% said they know about it well, 35% said they have heard something about it). 29% know nothing about it. A relatively higher level of awareness of the presidential initiative is recorded among residents of regional centers and Kyiv, older respondents, and voters of the parties Strength and Honor, European Solidarity, the Shariy Party, and Svoboda.
• 43% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the President’s idea of holding a nationwide poll on election day. 30% are neutral and 25% have a negative attitude. Residents of Kyiv and Galicia, older respondents, and voters of the European Solidarity party tend to view this idea more negatively. Younger respondents and supporters of the Servant of the People party perceive this initiative positively.
• 63% of respondents consider the President’s initiative to be legal, while 23% hold the opposite view. Only supporters of European Solidarity mostly consider the President’s poll illegal. Voters of other parties, in their relative majority, consider the poll to be legal.

‍