Over the past twelve months the percentage of Russians who literally "struggle to make ends meet" has noticeably dropped from 14% to 9%, sociologists from the Levada-Center told Interfax on Wednesday after conducting a nationwide poll.
Another 27% respondents admitted they have enough money for food, but buying clothes is a serious problem (34% in 2009).
The percentage of those who can afford things for long-term use has risen from 13% to 16%.
However, respondents in this group admitted that buying really expensive things is difficult.
Almost half of the respondents, 48%, classified themselves as those who have enough money for food and clothes but buying things for long-term use is a problem for them (39% in 2009).
Less than 1% of respondents can afford expensive purchases (an apartment, a countryside house, etc.).
This indicator has not changed since 2001, sociologists said.
