MOSCOW, January 9 (RIA Novosti) – Most Russians consider the critical situation in the housing and utilities sector, inflation and low living standards and corruption as the most pressing problems in the country, a new poll revealed on Wednesday.

The majority of respondents, 58 percent, said housing and utilities problems were their main concerns, according to the VTsIOM state pollster. Electricity prices are due to rise 12-15 percent by July 2013, while heating charges will go up 8-10 percent, and natural gas prices are set to rise at a rate of 15 percent a year in the near future.

Corruption and low living standards were listed as important by 50 and 51 percent respectively.

Inflation and high prices were also cited as very important by 51 percent, while Russia's demographic crisis was listed by just 13 percent of respondents, the survey said.

Human rights, development of democracy and terrorism were cited by only 14 percent of respondents as their main concerns.

The poll was answered by 1,600 Russians across 46 regions at the end of December. The margin of error was put at not more than 3.4 percent.