Public Perception of the All-Russian Population Census 2020/21 in the Regions of Russia (the Cases of Mari El, Mordovia, Udmurtia)

10.33876/2311-0546/2022-3/130-140

Authors

  • Vladimir Vorontsov Udmurt Branch, Institute of Philosophy and Law, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
  • Alexander Martynenko M. E. Evseviev Mordovian State Pedagogical University
  • Olga Orlova M. Vasilyev Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature and History under the Government of the Republic of Mari El

Keywords:

All-­Russian population census (APC), survey, students, pandemic, identity, language, nationality

Abstract

The article analyzes the public perception of the All-­Russian Population Census (APC) 2020/2021 based on the materials of three subjects of the Volga Federal District — Mari El, Mordovia, Udmurtia. The study was based on surveys among university students in these republics conducted by the authors in 2021. The vast majority of respondents were aware about the APC, although their knowledge about it was rather limited (mainly the reference dates and the opportunity to personally fill out the census form via electronic public services). In general students were hardly aware of the change in the methodology for recording ethnicity in the census and the possibility to choose two ethnicities. The survey data highlighted the low interest of students from universities in Mari El, Mordovia, and Udmurtia in the census. The main reasons for it include a poorly organized information campaign, young people’s skepticism and a low level of trust in the authorities, and the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, it is recommended that the organizers of the APC prepare in advance information and explanatory materials for different age groups. In addition, to inform young people it is necessary to involve leaders and activists of youth public organizations (including ethno-­cultural and religious ones), social networks and various online communities.

Author Biographies

  • Vladimir Vorontsov, Udmurt Branch, Institute of Philosophy and Law, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

    Vorontsov, Vladimir S. – Ph.D., Docent, Senior Researcher, Udmurt Branch, Institute of Philosophy and Law, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (620108, Ekaterinburg, Sofii Kovalevskoy st., 16). E-mail: vvorontsov@rambler.ru

  • Alexander Martynenko, M. E. Evseviev Mordovian State Pedagogical University

    Martynenko, Alexander V. – Ph.D., Professor, Department of National and Foreign History and Teaching Methods, M. E. Evseviev Mordovian State Pedagogical University (430007, Saransk, Studencheskaya st., 11A). E-mail: arkanaddin@mail.ru

  • Olga Orlova, M. Vasilyev Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature and History under the Government of the Republic of Mari El

    Orlova, Olga V. — Ph.D., Leading Researcher in Sociology, V. M. Vasilyev Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature and History under the Government of the Republic of Mari El (424036, Yoshkar-Ola, Krasnoarmeyskaya, 44). E-mail: marsoc_orlova@mail.ru

    For Citiation: Vorontsov, V. S., A. V. Martynenko and O. V. Orlova. 2022. Public Perception of the All-Russian Population Census 2020/21 in the Regions of Russia (the Cases of Mari El, Mordovia, Udmurtia). Herald of Anthropology. 3: 130–140.

     

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Published

12.09.2022

Issue

No. 3 (2022)

Section

Identity in the Digital Dimension and Historical Discourse