Over 90% of Russians intend to take part in forthcoming census

92% of Russians are intending to take part in the nationwide census that is due to be conducted between October 9th and 16th. Only three per cent of the population intend to boycott the census, while the other five per cent have not made up their minds.

The federal Census-2002 press centre announced on Thursday that the Public Opinion Foundation had conducted a survey of 1,500 people in 64 Russian Federation constituent members in September.

According to the survey's data, St. Petersburg had the lowest percentage of citizens (76%) ready to take part in the census.

The survey also provided evidence that the majority of Russians - 70% - believed that the census was "an important and necessary event." Only 18% expressed the opposite viewpoint.

Residents of Russia's Far East led the way in expressing their certainty that the census was important for Russia (79%), while Muscovites and St. Petersburgers were considerably more sceptical (59% and 52%, respectively).