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What are we worried about? -

The Ipsos survey tracked public
opinion on the most important social and political issues across 29 countries today. These are the results, listed in descending order.

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18. Access to credit -

On average across 29 countries, 2% of people mention access to credit as a top worry. Credit access can mean the ability to own a home, purchase a car, or get insurance, among many other financial advantages. And, of course, it affords the use of a credit card.

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17. Coronavirus (COVID-19) -

The specter of COVID-19 is still worrying 4% of the population across 29 countries, with APAC (Asia-Pacific) nations the most concerned. The people of Singapore and Thailand are especially anxious that a second pandemic could rear its ugly head.

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16. Maintaining social programs -

Maintaining social programs, things like access to social housing and welfare, unemployment benefits, health insurance, and food assistance, is the top worry among 7% of the population across 29 countries.

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15. Terrorism -

On average across 29 countries, 8% say terrorism is one of the top three issues facing their nation. Of those countries surveyed, Israel is the most concerned. Germany and France are the countries in Europe most anxious about a possible terrorism event.

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14. Threats against the environment -

Threats against the environment—deforestation, pollution, habitat loss,  and overpopulation—remains the concern of 9% of the population across 29 countries.

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13. Rise in extremism -

Nine percent of the population across 29 countries also feel that the rise in extremism merits concern. The growth of popularist right-wing movements and far-right demonstrations across the globe, and in particular Europe, has left many voicing fear and bewilderment.

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12. Military conflict between nations -

On average across 29 countries, 10% of the population listed military conflict between nations as one of the key issues facing their homeland. Nearly half the population of Israel believe this is so. Over a quarter of the population of Poland express similar concerns.

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11. Moral decline -

Ten percent of the population across 29 countries believe morality, the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior, is in decline.

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10. Education discrimination -

The often discriminatory nature of education—instruction, schooling, and training—and lack thereof is of concern to 14% of the population across 29 countries. The standard of tuition is also a worrying issue for many.

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9. Taxes -

The discrepancy between high and low tax brackets, the divisions at which tax rates change in a progressive tax system, are of sufficient inconsistency to worry 16% of the population across 29 countries.

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8. Climate change -

Climate change is one of the most important issues facing society today. The number across 29 countries mentioning climate change as a worry is 17%. Those surveyed believe that the phenomenon presents a threat to our way of life in the next 25 years. Numerous European countries express concern, as do places like Japan and Australia.

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7. Immigration control -

Issues surrounding immigration control are worrying 17% of the population across 29 countries. For example, the proportion of people who think migration has had a positive impact on Great Britain has steadily decreased since July 2022, though more are still positive than negative. In the United States, immigration remains a hugely contentious subject and is likely to remain so throughout the 2024 presidential campaign.

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6. Health care -

One in four people across 29 countries, or 23%, say health care is a key issue. Great Britain has reached a historic level of concern for health care, with over half the population expressing worry and dissatisfaction. Canada, Hungary, and Singapore are among other nations where health care is a major talking point.

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5. Financial/political corruption -

On average across 29 countries, 26% of people mention financial/political corruption as a worry in their country. It's of greatest concern in Indonesia, Peru, Malaysia, and South Africa.

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4. Unemployment -

Nearly three in 10 (28%) choose
unemployment and jobs as their main worry. Of the 29 countries surveyed, South Africa heads the table with 66% of its population concerned about holding down a job. People in Colombia (52%) and Argentina (48%) are similarly concerned enough to make the top tier.

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3. Poverty and social inequality -

Poverty and social inequality ranks third on the list of global worries, with 29% of people across 29 countries identifying the problem as a key issue. Hungary and Thailand are joint most concerned (43%). Mexico (41%) is in third place.

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2. Crime and violence -

Second on the list of global worries is crime and violence. Thirty percent of the population across 29 countries voice it as their major concern. Four countries—Chile, Peru, Mexico, and, interestingly, Sweden—tie for the position of most concerned, at 57%.

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1. Inflation -

The number one issue of most concern across the 29 countries surveyed is inflation, with 33% of the population voicing their worry. Turkey tops the list at 55%, but it's Canada (51%) and the United States (50%) where levels of concern about economic stability have seen the sharpest rise.

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Right direction, or wrong track? -

When asked whether things in their country are heading in the right direction, or off on the wrong track, 38% of people across 29 nations believed their homeland was heading in the right direction. However, 62% said otherwise. Here's what the populations of 13 of those nations had to say.

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Australia -

In Australia, 45% of those surveyed said the country was heading in the right direction. Fifty-five percent believed it was on the wrong track.

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Brazil -

In Brazil, 41% believed the country was heading in the right direction. However, 59% thought otherwise.

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USA -

While 37% of those surveyed in the United States said their country was heading in the right direction, 63% said it was on the wrong track.

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Spain -

Thirty-six percent of those asked in Spain reckoned the country was heading in the right direction, while 64% disagreed.

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Sweden -

In Sweden, 30% of people said the country was heading in the right direction, while 70% said it was on the wrong track.

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Italy -

Similarly in Italy, only 30% gave the country a thumbs, up while 70% gave it a thumbs down.

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Netherlands -

In the Netherlands, 29% of those surveyed thought the nation was heading in the right direction. Seventy-one percent had a different opinion.

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Canada -

Likewise, only 29% believed Canada was heading in the right direction, while the rest of those surveyed said it wasn't.

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Great Britain -

In Great Britain, 28% of those surveyed said the country was going in the right direction. Seventy-two percent said it was on the wrong track.

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Germany -

And it's the same story in Germany. Twenty-eight percent gave a positive answer, while 72% said otherwise.

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South Korea -

South Korea is heading in the right direction according to 23% of those asked, while 77% believed that it wasn't.

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Japan -

In Japan, the mood is even more pessimistic. Of those surveyed, only 22% believed the nation was heading in the right direction, while 78% thought otherwise.

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Paris -

Currently, France is one of the most pessimistic of all nations included in the survey. Only 20% felt the country was going in the right direction, while 80% thought it was on the wrong track.

Sources: (Ipsos)

See also: Proven tips to deal with rising inflation

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