Russia, happiness index hits negative peak in April

(Adnkronos) – The happiness index in Russia plummeted in April, reaching a negative peak of 52 points, the lowest in the last 15 years, according to a survey by VTsIOM, the Public Opinion Research Center. In March, the index, calculated based on responses to the question, “Life has its ups and downs. But in general, do you consider yourself happy or not?”, was 56 points, and 55 in February. In April 2025, it was 63. In September 2011, the index had dropped to 41 points, after the United Russia Congress announced Vladimir Putin’s new presidential candidacy, following the ‘waltz’ with Dmitry Medvedev, an announcement that triggered massive street protests.