Roughly a quarter of Russians say they are thinking about moving away permanently, new poll shows

Roughly a quarter of Russians are either contemplating or have entertained the possibility of moving abroad permanently, to countries outside the former USSR, according to a new sociological survey by the Levada Center.

Sixteen percent of respondents said they “sometimes think” about moving away, 7 percent say they're “considering” a move, and 1 percent say they've either “gathered [all necessary] documents for a move” or “made a firm decision to leave.” According to the Levada Center, however just half a percent of Russians actually emigrate.

The primary reason Russians list for leaving the country is the pursuit of better living conditions. The second most common stated reason is to escape Russia's economic instability. Russians also say they want a more “dignified and secure” future for their children.

Lev Gudkov, who heads the Levada Center, stressed that the survey does not reflect “Russians' real desire to leave,” but instead reflects the sense of discomfort experienced by certain groups. “As a rule, those who want to leave are young people who simply want to see the world, as well as those who do not see prospects for themselves here [in Russia],” he said.