Russians speak only Russian
Only about 15 percent of the Russian population speaks a foreign language, a poll conducted by the Levada Centre shows. Among people with high education, as well as among company managers, the percentage is about 30.
The poll, which is based on 1600 respondents from 46 Russian regions, shows a major lack of foreign language skills all over Russia. Still, regional differences are significant. While, 33 percent of the population in Moscow speaks a foreign language, the average in the villages is only 7 percent, newspaper Vedomosti reports.
Similarly, there are major differences in language skills between the different professions. Thus, while 30 percent of people with high education say they master a foreign language, the number is only eight percent among people with education below the average.
Also among company managers, the language skills are sparse. According to the poll, 33 percent of the questioned managers say the master a foreign language.
Of the ones speaking a foreign language, English is the most common (80%). 16 percent say the master German and four percent – French.
See all the poll results at the website of the Levada Centre
