Market Research Companies in Russian Federation

Key figures for researchers

Population

147.2 million (2021 census, preliminary results, as published by Rosstat)¹

Urban population

74.8% of the population (2021 census)¹

Largest federal districts

Central over 40 million, Volga almost 29 million, Siberian 16.8 million people (2021)¹

Moscow and Moscow Region

just over 13 million in Moscow, 8.5 million in the region (October 2021)¹

Saint Petersburg

about 5.6 million people (October 2021)¹

Million-plus cities

16 cities, home to 35.7 million people (2021)¹

Internet users

94.4% of individuals (2024)³

Mobile subscriptions

186 per 100 people (2024)⁴

GDP per capita

about US$17,500 (2025)⁵

Research guide

Research landscape

Russia is a large research market where Moscow is the main business centre, followed by Saint Petersburg and the other million-plus cities. Full-service agencies work alongside specialist qualitative, B2B and healthcare firms, online panel providers and regional field suppliers, which are needed to cover a country of this size.

A common quality reference is the ICC/ESOMAR International Code, revised in 2025 (fifth edition) and endorsed by over 60 associations in more than 50 countries. Its principles include honesty and transparency, care for participants, and clear information on how personal data will be used and protected.

Languages and fieldwork

Russian is the fieldwork language for almost all studies, and questionnaires should be translated and checked by native speakers. Russia is a multi-ethnic country: studies in some republics may add a local-language version or bilingual interviewers.

Population is very unevenly spread. At the 2021 census, the Central Federal District had more than 40 million people, the Volga district almost 29 million and the Siberian district 16.8 million, and 16 million-plus cities were home to 35.7 million people, almost a quarter of the population. A national sample therefore needs quotas by federal district and settlement size, and many studies are limited to large cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk.

Which methods work

Connectivity is high: 94.4% of individuals use the internet and there are 186 mobile subscriptions per 100 people. Online surveys using access panels are widely used for urban consumer research, and mobile-friendly questionnaires are essential. For the 2021 census, people could fill in the form themselves online on the public services portal for the first time.

With 74.8% of the population living in cities, online samples can under-represent small towns, rural areas and older people. Telephone (CATI) and face-to-face interviews remain used for these audiences, for B2B decision makers and for regional studies. In-person focus groups are usually held in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other large cities.

Timing

The New Year holidays are the main period to avoid. Under the Labour Code, 1 to 6 and 8 January are New Year holidays and 7 January is Christmas; other non-working holidays are 23 February, 8 March, 1 May, 9 May, 12 June and 4 November. Each year the government moves some days off to create longer breaks.

For 2027, the approved schedule gives non-working days from 31 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, 21–23 February, 6–8 March, 1–3 May and 8–10 May, 12–14 June and 4–7 November. Response rates fall and business respondents are hard to reach around these breaks, so plan fieldwork accordingly.

Data protection

Personal data is governed by Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” of 27 July 2006, supervised by Roskomnadzor, which checks compliance and keeps a register of personal data operators. Since 1 July 2025 (Federal Law No. 23-FZ), collecting and processing the personal data of Russian citizens using databases located outside Russia is not permitted, with limited exceptions; this also applies to processors acting for an operator. Cross-border transfers remain possible after notifying Roskomnadzor.

Since 1 September 2025, consent to the processing of personal data must be given separately from any other information or documents the person signs. Fines for breaching the localisation rule are RUB 1–6 million for a company’s first violation and RUB 6–18 million for a repeat one. Ask your agency where survey data is stored, how consent is collected, and how data will be shared with you.

Working with a local agency

• Share a clear brief: objectives, target, sample size, federal districts and city sizes, method, languages and deadline.
• EU-based clients should check sanctions rules first: Article 5n of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 prohibits providing advertising, market research and public opinion polling services to the Russian government and to entities established in Russia. Take legal advice before commissioning.
• Ask which panels or fieldwork suppliers will be used, and how regional and offline audiences will be reached.
• Check that personal data is stored in Russia as required by Federal Law No. 152-FZ, and agree in writing what anonymised data you will receive.
• Check fieldwork dates against the New Year holidays and the May holidays.
• Compare several proposals: you can send one request to up to 5 companies from this page.