Dynamics of the patriotic moods of Ukrainians

•    According to the survey carried out by the Sociological Group “Rating” in August, 2019, 83% of the Ukrainian citizens consider themselves patriots of their country (almost as much as in 2018). Only 11% have the opposite opinion, other 6% could not answer. This year, compared to the previous surveys, the highest number of those who have chosen definite answer to this question (60%) was recorded.

•    In all macro-regions of Ukraine, the total number of patriotic citizens exceeds 75%: 86% in the West, 85% in the Center, 79% in the East, 78% in the South.

•    Over the research period, the highest number of those who would support the declaration of Ukraine's Independence if they had to make this choice today was recorded - 82% (in 2012 - 62%). Only 12% stated opposite opinion, 6% hesitated to answer.

•    The highest number of those who would support the declaration of Independence of Ukraine was recorded in the West (92%). In the Center, the number of such respondents is 85%, in the South - 75%, in the East - 69%. The number of those with the opposite opinion is the highest in the Southern and Eastern regions (20% to 23%). Also, the number of those who would not support the independence of our country is relatively higher among the older generation and those with lower income. Independence support is clearly correlated with the feeling of patriotism: the higher the level of patriotic feelings, the higher the support of Ukraine's Independence declaration.

•    Nearly 60% of the population attend mass events held on Independence Day: 25% attend them annually, 34% do attend, but not annually. 36% do not attend such events at all. Only 5% said they did not celebrate Independence Day. These events are relatively less popular among those with lower income, older respondents, and citizens of the East.

•    There is a significant percentage of those who identify themselves primarily as Ukrainian citizens: in 2010, there were 57% of those who could identify themselves as such, and this year, the number is 65%. This year, compared to the previous surveys, the lowest number of those who identify themselves as resident of their region, city, village (15%) was recorded; also, the number of those who would choose the alternative "just a human" has decreased (18% this year, 29% last year). The percentage of those who would name their nationality has slightly increased (16%). 10% identify themselves primarily according to their family role, 8% - as a Soviet person, 7% - as a European, 6% - as a citizen of the world, about 3-4% - according to their religious beliefs or profession.

•    “Citizen of Ukraine”, as an identifier, is dominant in all regions of Ukraine, while at the same time, the highest number of such respondents was recorded in the West - 72%; in the Center, this alternative was chose by 66%, in the South – by 62%, in the East - 51%. It is also more relevant for younger respondents and men; at the same time, for women, according to the survey, relatively more important is identification with the family role. Identification of "just a human" is more popular among the residents of the Center and South, and such identifications as "resident of one’s region" and "family role" are more relevant for the residents of the East. Also, the association with the "Soviet person" is more common for the residents of the Southern and Eastern macro-regions, those elderly people, and those with lower income. Those with higher income are more likely to identify themselves with the "Europeans", the youngest respondents – with the "citizen of the world".

Audience: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and settlement type. Total sample: 2000 respondents. Personal formalized interview (face-to-face). The margin of error does not exceed 2.2%. Period of the survey: 7-12 August, 2019