HSE University Opens Access to Microdata from Study on Economic Behaviour of Russians
As part of the project ‘Economic Behaviour of Households in Russia’ (EBHR), HSE University is opening access to nationally representative primary datasets. This data makes it possible to explore various aspects of well-being and the economic behaviour of Russian households across different income groups in contemporary economic conditions.
Since 2023, HSE University has been implementing the large-scale project ‘Economic Behaviour of Households in Russia’ (more details in Russian). This comprehensive study aims to examine the structure of income and expenditure, patterns of decision-making regarding the consumption of goods and various services by Russian households, and provide an in-depth analysis of transformations in time-use practices, including changes in the balance between paid work, leisure, and domestic labour.
In order to promote the principles of transparency and evidence-based economic policy, HSE University is, for the first time, providing access to the project’s data repository covering its initial years. The dataset includes the results of consecutive survey waves (2023–2024) and offers researchers the opportunity to work with microdata in the following areas:
trends in consumer expenditure and savings across different income groups
emerging forms of consumer behaviour
economic behaviour in the sectors of culture, sport, healthcare, and digital consumption
time-use structures and the intra-household distribution of responsibilities
the relationship between economic decisions and respondents’ psychological and emotional well-being
The main population survey within the EBHR project, which is now being made available to a broad community of researchers and experts, collects a unique volume of information across a wide range of indicators—from consumption patterns and financial strategies to time allocation and the emotional well-being of different social groups. The survey is conducted using face-to-face structured interviews (CAPI) and covers approximately 6,000 individuals aged 18 and over, selected through a multi-stage stratified probability sample. At present, it represents the most comprehensive empirical dataset in Russia for analysing the determinants of well-being and behavioural responses among the population.
The repository will also include the results of surveys of high-income respondents (the top income decile), whose monthly income per household member exceeded 165,000 roubles in 2023 and 2024 (with the threshold raised to 200,000 roubles in 2025). The survey is conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire (CAWI). The sample comprises 1,000 respondents and is quota-based by territory (federal district) and age, in line with population parameters, as well as by gender in a 50:50 proportion. The CAWI method makes it possible to reach a hard-to-access segment of the population with high incomes, while quota sampling ensures the representativeness of results across key socio-demographic characteristics. It is worth noting that this type of data, capturing the consumption practices of high-income groups, is in itself a novelty: such groups have traditionally been underrepresented in sociological surveys. In this regard, the results for the top income decile are of particular methodological and substantive value.
The repository will be regularly updated with new data, ensuring continuity in research and enabling analysts to take into account the current context in quantitative studies.
Academic Supervisor of HSE University and Academic Director of the project ‘Economic Behaviour of Households in Russia’
‘Providing access to disaggregated datasets (microdata) significantly expands the research capabilities of the academic community. For experts and think tanks, this creates opportunities to test hypotheses and develop predictive models based on verified and, crucially, up-to-date nationally representative samples. For early-career researchers—students and doctoral candidates—working with the repository becomes a tool for professional development, enabling them to apply modern econometric modelling techniques to the analysis of real economic processes and to carry out project-based research.’
Access to the data can be obtained via the project page (in Russian). The microdata on the economic behaviour of Russians is publicly available in the HSE University Repository, but is visible only to authorised users who have accepted the terms of the licence agreement.
To log in, follow the link.
HSE University staff and students can access the repository using their corporate username and password.
External users (including international users) are required to register for a personal account in the HSE system. Registration within Russia is only possible using an email address with a .ru domain. If registering for the Russian information system from outside the Russian Federation, any email address may be used. You can provide a Russian phone number or leave the corresponding field blank.
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