Russian teenagers spent more than $6 billion on goods and services in 2012, according to Teenager Research Unlimited, a study by TNS Russia.
The TNS research estimates the expenses of Russians aged 12 to 19 who live in cities with a population of more than 100,000 people. This group includes 5.7 million people.
Teenagers' spending totaled $3.8 billion in 2010 and $4.1 billion in 2011.
According to the research, boys spend 809 rubles ($26) per week, while girls spend only 621 ($20) per week.
Teenagers mostly spend their money on leisure activities like buying snacks or movie tickets, while clothes, shoes and books are bought by their parents, said Oleg Ulyansky, head of the children's leisure portal tvidi.ru.
According to Mikhail Burmistrov, head of Infoline-Analitika research agency, teenagers spend 3,000 rubles monthly on various goods and services, and this figure is expected to grow.
"Sometimes I earn money myself and, when my mother gives me some, I save it to buy something good. Now I am saving money to buy a violin," said Antonina Ivanova, 17, a school student who also sings in a chorus.
She added that she spends about 5,000 rubles ($160) once in two months to buy new clothes.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
