MOSCOW, December 21. /TASS/. One in two Russians are ringing in the New Year on a high note, being generally happy and optimistic, the highest number since 2006, according to the findings of a new poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM), which the pollster presented at a press conference.

"The December VCIOM poll showed that every second Russian is ending 2023 with a good mood and a sense of optimism (53%, plus 15 percentage points for the year), and this is the highest figure since the poll began in 2006," the survey results said.

However, every third person admitted that they do not feel especially upbeat on New Year's Eve, but do not feel down either (34%), which is the lowest value since 2006. As many as 11% of Russians are in a bad mood and are pessimistic going into the New Year.

Russians' positivity about the past year and the one on the horizon hit a record high in the index, reaching 66 points, an increase of 10 points from last year.

For the majority of Russians and their families, the past year was successful or generally good (57%), one of the highest indicators since the poll began. According to VCIOM, the most difficult year for Russian citizens was 2020, with only 33% calling it a good year. After that, things got better: 2021 was called good by 45%, and 2022 - 52%. Four out of ten admitted that 2023 was a difficult year for them (41%), the percentage is higher among young people under 25 (52%).

The Russia-wide telephone survey was conducted on December 8 and December 16, 2023. It involved 1,600 Russians over the age of 18. The data has been balanced by socio-demographic parameters. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% with a probability ratio of 95%.