The russians Will Welcome the Year 2026 in Mode of Austerity and Growing Social Fatigue

Preparations for the New Year celebrations in russia are taking place against the background of a noticeable decline in consumer activity. There is a general trend toward austerity: the russians are increasingly refusing to make unnecessary purchases and are limiting themselves to a minimum set of goods and services. The average budget for the 2026 celebrations is about 14,000 rubles, which is almost half of what was planned to be spent in 2025.

This trend is explained by rising inflation and increases in the cost of food, housing and utilities, and clothing. Even the traditional New Year’s table is undergoing changes. Delicacies are not being purchased in order to avoid large expenses. In general, the holiday menu is reduced to simple and still affordable food products.

The interest is growing in alternative, relatively cheaper forms of recreation. Instead of traveling abroad, the russians are choosing to rent country houses within their country, often in large groups, which allows them to share the costs.

The market for holiday services is also experiencing a decline in demand. Event organizers, hosts, and restaurants report a decrease in orders and a lack of expensive requests. The average bill for organizing holidays has increased, while demand for such services has decreased by approximately the same percentage. This indicates extremely cautious consumer behavior.

Against the background of a general decline in holiday activity, negative social trends are being observed. According to statistics, the mortality rate in russia during the New Year holidays increases by an average of 24 %, peaking on New Year’s Eve and Christmas. On January 1 alone, about two thousand people die across the country. The main reasons remain alcohol abuse, overeating, and a sharp increase in the number of accidents – injuries, traffic accidents, and domestic conflicts. A separate problem is the surge in suicides, especially among people who spend long holiday weekends alone and depressed.

Thus, New Year’s Eve in russia is increasingly losing its characteristics of a large-scale and joyful holiday and is turning into a restrained, psychologically tense event. Despite their reluctance to completely abandon traditions, most citizens of the rf will welcome the year 2026 in mode of austerity and growing social fatigue, which clearly reflects the general state of consumer and public moods in the country.