MOSCOW, May 3. /TASS/. More than 80% Russians think they are lucky people and the main factors for this kind of self-perception are their families, children, fair health, and highly cherished work, say results of an opinion poll that the All-Russia Center for Public Opinion Research [VCIOM] published on Thursday.

"The level of happiness the Russians have been showing over the past twelve months is the highest over the entire history of opinion polls in this country," the center said. "The latest poll shows that 83% Russians think they are lucky people on the whole."

"Younger respondents traditionally assess their current status more optimistically [87% in the age bracket of 18 to 24 years old," VCIOM said. "The same concerns well-earning respondents [96%], people older than 60 years old [79%], and low-income categories of the population [58%]."

Family life continues to be one of the determining factors behind happiness [30%], while another 13% draw on happiness from their parenthood. Good health - own and that of family members is the highest marker of happy living for 16% of those polled and a good job, for 14%.

The feeling of unhappiness is related for the most part to material problems.

The happiness index based on the perception of personal well-being totaled 73 points in March 2018 versus 72 points in March 2017.

"The fact is the feeling of social optimism dominates among our fellow-countrymen," Dr. Oleg Chernozub, the director of the Center for Social and Economic Research at the Russian Academy of National Economy told TASS. "Family and sound health are the main drivers of the sensation that someone is happy."

He finds it to be only logical, since the Russians have reduced smoking and consumption of liquors. Also, they spend fewer hours watching TV now.

Simultaneously, an average Russian is spending more times at stadiums, in public parks, going to theaters or simply reading books at home.