Social optimism of the population of the Republic of Tuva: gender and age aspects

Abstract

Introduction. An analysis of the social optimism of the population in the Republic of Tuva is relevant in the context of the high poverty rates in the region. The purpose of the presented article is a sociological study of this issue by analyzing respondents’ expectations of improving their financial situation, readiness for changes and their actual implementation, reliance on their own potential in solving life tasks.

Materials and methods. The article is based on the results of a sociological study of the socio-economic situation of the population of the Republic of Tuva, conducted by the Tuvan Institute for Humanitarian and Applied Socio-Economic Research under the Government of the Republic of Tuva in 2023. The study used a quantitative method of sociological analysis - a survey by personal interview.

Results. The research revealed a fairly low level of depressive moods among the population of the Republic of Tuva. Women, young people, people with higher education and young people studying at universities, as well as the rural population are more optimistic about improving their financial situation. The level of pessimism among economically well-off respondents was low and, accordingly, the level of negative assessment of their material prospects was higher among the least well-off respondents. The same was revealed when analyzing the respondents’ readiness for changes and their practical steps aimed at improving their financial situation. Most of the respondents relied on themselves in solving their life problems. Discussions and conclusions. The expectation of positive changes in the financial situation depends on the level of education achieved, material security, the available resource potential of the respondents, as well as on gender. Most of the respondents demonstrate the availability of the necessary economic and cultural resources, strong-willed qualities and motivation to independently solve the current socio-economic problems of their family and do not expect help from government institutions or others. These facts indicate that the population of the Republic of Tuva is characterized by a fairly high level of social optimism, readiness for independent action to change their situation. On the other hand, this may be a manifestation of a shortage of social capital in the society and pessimism that external actors in the face of authorities would solve the issues of improving the life of an ordinary person.