Citizens’ Pulse: Concerns about effects of Russia’s war of aggression see clear increase in June, support for sanctions remains strong

Concerns about the effects of Russia’s war of aggression increased clearly in June. Altogether 72 per cent of respondents in this month’s Citizens’ Pulse survey said they were at least somewhat concerned, compared to 66 per cent in May.

The Citizens’ Pulse survey was conducted just a few days after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

Support for economic sanctions imposed by the EU has remained very high at 88 per cent, while support for receiving refugees from Ukraine was at 77 per cent.

Four out of five respondents said NATO membership had increased their sense of security at least to some extent. Three out of four respondents gave this answer when the survey asked the question for the first time in May. Respondents in the 60 to 74 age group reported the strongest increase in their sense of security.

Concerns about households’ ability to get by still high

Concerns about households’ ability to get by financially have remained high. Of the respondents in the June survey, 37 per cent said they were at least somewhat concerned about the ability of their household to get by over the next month.

Trust in healthcare, which has been on the decline for a couple of years, continued to fall in June and has now hit its lowest level since the start of the Citizens’ Pulse surveys. A total of 63 per cent of respondents said they had a fairly or very high level of trust in the healthcare system, whereas that figure in May was 68 per cent.

The 46th round of the Citizens’ Pulse survey was conducted between 7 and 12 June 2023. The Citizens’ Pulse survey examines citizens’ opinions on current issues and government activities and asks about their mood and expectations for the future. Statistics Finland is responsible for collecting the survey data.

Inquiries: Juho Jyrkiäinen, Senior Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 181