MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax) - About an equal number of Russian citizens have a positive and negative opinion of wealthy people. But most of those surveyed in a recent poll (41%) said they do not care.

Fifteen percent of respondents look at wealthy people with curiosity, 12% with respect and 2% with sympathy, the Yury Levada Analytical Center said in a report.

Most of those who respect the rich are businessmen, the unemployed, housewives and men under 40 years of age, with a higher education, with r elatively high earnings (over 12,000 rubles a month per family member), who reside in Russia's Northwestern and Far East Federal districts, in Moscow or in other large cities and who would vote for the Union of Right Forces (SPS) in parliamentary elections.

The rich arouse interest among private entrepreneurs, the military, employees of law enforcement agencies, school and university students, men under 40 with a higher and general education, earning over 7,000 rubles a month, who reside in the Far East Federal District, Moscow or in other large cities, who would vote for Yabloko or SPS.

Of the 28% of respondents who dislike the rich, 14% said wealthy people irritate them, 8% hate them and 6% despise them.

Pensioners and people over 55 with an incomplete general education and monthly earnings below 7,000 rubles are equally irritated by wealthy people, and hate and despise them.