What Worries the World – January 2026
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.
World Worries: Long-Term Trends
Q: Which three of the following topics do you find the most worrying in your country?
This month two-fifths (41%), on average across 30 countries, say their country is “heading in the right direction”, which is 3pp higher than it was in January 2025.
The proportion of Indonesians expressing optimism has taken a sharp fall this month as the effects of Cyclone Ditwah continue to be felt. There has been a 12pp decrease month-on-month, taking the nation’s right direction score to 63%.
In July 2025, when fighting erupted along the border with Cambodia, Thailand recorded their joint lowest right direction score of 41% since they were added to the survey in August 2022. Since then, however, the level of optimism has been increasing, with this month seeing an 8pp rise, despite renewed escalation.
Right Direction Change: January 2025 – January 2026
Q: Would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track? Right direction
On average across 30 countries, four in ten describe the current economic situation in their country as good, up 4pp from this time last year.
Economic positivity has risen particularly in South Korea, where the good economy score has increased 21 percentage points from this time last year (now sitting at 30%). Israel and Peru have also recorded significant 12-month increases (+12pp each).
This month Malaysia records its all-time highest good economy score, at 75%, which is 10pp higher than a year ago.
Meanwhile, Singapore and Ireland have seen the biggest 12-month declines, both down 7 points on this time last year
Economic Situation Change: January 2025 – January 2026
Q: How would you describe the current economic situation in your country? Net "good"
