What Worries the World – December 2024

Our monthly What Worries the World survey explores what the public thinks are the most important social and political issues, drawing on more than ten years of data to place the latest scores in context.

Over the past year, inflation has been the top worry across 29 countries for 11 out of the 12 months.

2024 key findings:

• Inflation in 2024:
  • For eleven months this year, cost of living was the primary issue across our 29 countries (the exception being September).
  • That said, the level of worry about the cost of living has been declining somewhat over 2024, going from 36% in January to 32% mentioning it in December.
  • September recorded the lowest level of worry for inflation at 30%, the lowest since March 2022 (in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when it was 27%).
  • Argentina has experienced the largest shift in concern. Having had inflation as its top concern for 18 consecutive months, in September Argentina’s priorities shifted with unemployment emerging as the number one concern. Their level of worry about inflation has dropped 30 points over the year (from 68% in January to 38% today).
     

• Right Direction Score:
  • Across 29 countries, the percentage of individuals expressing confidence that their country is "heading in the right direction" has declined by 4pp over the year dropping from 41% to 37%. December’s score marks the lowest level recorded in 2024.
  • Peru has consistently been the most pessimistic country, being bottom of the list for 16 consecutive months. Currently 10% say things are going in the right direction.
  • France has seen a big decrease this year in optimism, falling 17 percentage points, from 27% saying the nation is on the right track in January to 10% today.
  • Likewise, Poland has fallen from 57% in January to 38% (-19pp). The high score in January could be related to October 2023’s post-election surge in optimism.
  • South Africa has experienced the biggest improvement in mood this year, going from second last in January at 19% to 38% in December (+19pp, now 11th out of 29).
• Crime & violence:
  • The proportion expressing worry about crime increased slightly during 2024, going from 29% to 31%.
  • Crime & violence broke inflation’s streak as the top global concern in September, when 31% cited crime as one of the main issues facing their country.
  • Crime consistently ranks as a top concern for LATAM countries and Sweden. In January, five out of six LATAM nations in our study identified crime as their primary issue, and by December, all six listed it as their foremost worry.
• Covid-19:
  • Concern for coronavirus across 29 countries has been tailing off. Worry has fallen from 7% in January to 2% in December (the lowest level recorded yet).
• 'Good’ economy score:
  • The global 29-country average for those saying their country’s economy is ‘very good’ or ‘somewhat good’ has fallen marginally in 2024, from 38% in January to 36%.
  • The G7 average has fallen further, from 32% in January to 25% in December.
  • Argentina has experienced the largest increase, of 27 points, going from 5% to 32%.
  • Conversely, France is down 20pp (30%-10%), Belgium is down 14pp (45%-31%), and Germany and Great Britain fell 13pp (40%-27%, 35%-22%, respectively).

December analysis

Inflation
This December, across 29 countries, inflation remains the number one concern, with a third (32%) expressing worry. Although still the biggest concern, it is 5pp lower than the same time last year.

The number of countries citing cost of living as their primary concern has risen from six to eight over the last month, with Canada and France being the new additions, both of which have seen substantial increases. Taking a longer-term view, in January, 11 countries identified inflation as their top issue, including Argentina, Germany, and South Korea

The proportion of Canadians worried about prices has risen 7pp over the month to half (49%) saying it’s a problem. Similarly, concern in France has moved up 6pp, although not to as high a level (37%).

This time last year, Argentina’s level of concern was 32pp higher than it is in December 2024, where we now have just shy of two-fifths (38%) citing it.

Crime & violence
Having shared the top position last month, crime and violence has now shifted to second place on our global concerns ranking, reflecting a moderate decline in worry levels since November.

Last month, for Peru, inequality was their primary issue. This month, crime & violence has become the biggest concern facing the country, with two-thirds (65%) expressing worry. This is 7pp higher than last December. November’s score (66%) was Peruvians’ highest score since March 2020, when it was at 71%.

Notably, the proportion mentioning crime in Türkiye has fallen 10pp to three in ten (29%). Despite the sharp fall, this level is still 11pp higher than this time last year.

Financial/political corruption
The proportion mentioning corruption across our 29 countries has fractionally increased this month, joint with unemployment at 27%.

In a month which has seen Benjamin Netanyahu back in court for an ongoing corruption trial, Israel has experienced the largest increase in mentions. Up 15pp to over a third (36%) citing it. Corruption has become more of an issue than military conflict (35%) and is second only to terrorism (45%). This is 6pp higher than a year ago.

Last month, Spain’s score reached a record level after the country faced severe flooding. This month concern has reached another new high, with a further rise of 3pp to 33%. This is 13pp higher than a year ago and the highest it has been since March 2021 (when it was 34%).

Poverty & social inequality
The proportion mentioning poverty & social inequality across 29 countries has marginally decreased to 29% this month.

In November, inequality was Peru’s top worry. However, after the number of people mentioning it dropped 4pp to 29%, it is now second to crime & violence.

In Belgium, inequality has emerged as a top concern, marking the first time in eight months that taxes are no longer the primary issue for the public. Mentions of inequality have risen by four percentage points, with 31% of Belgians now citing it as a major issue. This represents a seven percentage point increase compared to the same time last year.

Current economic situation
Looking back to January 2024, we see big changes. This time last year, Argentina was ranked bottom, with a good economy score of just 6%. This month, it ranks 15th of 29 countries, with a good economy score of 32%: its highest in almost seven years (also 32% in January 2018).

But economic perceptions haven’t risen in all countries. Six countries have recorded double digit decreases in their good economy score, led by France (-20pp) and Belgium (-14pp) since January.

This month, a 4pp drop in Germany’s good economy score sees it record a new all-time low (27%). Meanwhile, France (10%) has fallen into the bottom ranked position, with its lowest score since February 2016.