What Worries the World – October 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. 

Inflation is the leading concern again, after losing its 29 month streak last month. 

Key findings: 

• After falling out from the top spot last month, 19 out of the 29 countries have seen their level of worry about the cost-of-living rise, leading to inflation once again being the number one issue. 
• In Singapore (56%), Türkiye (55%), the US (51%), Canada (51%), Australia (47%), India (47%), Argentina (46%) and Poland (36%) inflation is the number one worry. 
• India has also seen a significant change in concern about the job market, with a 14 percentage points increase in the proportion saying unemployment is a problem (now 44%). This is now the country’s second biggest worry, behind inflation. 
• Peru remains bottom of our list when it comes to heading in the right direction, with 15% believing the nation is on the right track. They have been at the foot of the table for 14 consecutive months. 
• France has the lowest proportion of people who describe their country’s economy as good. 16% say the economy is good, after a 14pp fall compared from last month. 
• Concern over health in South Korea has reached the highest level we’ve recorded for the country, now at over a third (34%) worried. 

Inflation 

Last month for the first time since March 2022, we reported that inflation was no longer the top concern in What Worries the World. A month later it is back on top spot, with 19 out of the 29 countries included in the survey seeing their level of worry about the cost-of-living Thirty-two per cent currently see it as a major worry, up 2pp on September. This level of concern is lower than February 2023, when concern reached a peak of 43%. 

India has seen the most significant change in worry for inflation after increasing 17pp with 47% expressing concern. This seems to contradict the increase in optimism in the “right direction” tracker, however, according to Parijat Chakraborty, Ipsos in India, PA Lead: “India observed low inflation in June & July, so the worry about inflation went up when it increased in August,” he said. “The country also witnessed a prolonged monsoon season leading to inflation of regular commodities.” 

We also see elevated levels in North America, where in the US, the worry remains high at 51% and in Canada, the concern is up 8pp, also to 51% worried. 

“The country [India] also witnesses prolonged monsoon this year and flood in many parts of the country leading to inflation of regular commodities, supressed job opportunities, particularly for the marginalised sectors, or people engaged in informal economies, which is very large in India.” 

- Parijat Chakraborty, PA Lead, Ipsos in India 

Crime & violence 

The proportion mentioning crime and violence across 29 countries has not changed this month, with just over three in ten (31%) picking it as an issue. 

Peru has witnessed the largest and most significant change in worry this month. Jumping up 14pp to two-thirds (66%) citing it as a problem. The last time levels were like this for Peru was over four years ago in March 2021, when it was 71%. 

This is the second month in a row that France has put crime & violence as their primary concern. Worry is up slightly to 38%, this is France’s highest recorded score for crime & violence since December 2023 – when it was 37%. 

Türkiye has reached a historically elevated level of worry after rising 12 points to 32% citing crime & violence. The last time it was this high was in August 2020 (33%). 

Unemployment 

Across 29 countries, the share of people mentioning unemployment as one of the biggest issues facing their country has decreased slightly to 27%.

 This month, India has seen the most significant change in concern after rising 14 percentage points to 44% saying unemployment is a problem. This is now the country’s second biggest worry, behind inflation (at 47%). 

Colombia’s proportion of people expressing concern for unemployment has fallen 10pp to 39%. It’s now their joint top issue, alongside financial/political corruption. 

Likewise, Argentinians are less worried about jobs, with this month’s score 6pp lower than September’s, now at 45%. However, it should be noted that this score is 12pp higher than October 2023. 

Health care 

Across 29 countries, concern for health care has increased slightly, with 23% saying it is one of the biggest issues facing their country.

 Although it’s not the country’s number one worry, the level of concern in South Korea has reached a record level. In August, the nation witnessed a jump in concern and since then it has continued to rise. This month worry has risen by another seven-points, breaking last month’s record score of 27%, with 34% now concerned. It’s the highest level of worry about healthcare we’ve recorded for South Korea. 

The Netherlands’ level of worry has also increased this month, now making this issue its top concern along with immigration control. It’s 7pp higher than last month, with a third (34%) mentioning it. January 2024 was the last time we saw levels this high – when it was 36%.

“While the overall U.S. economy is doing well, record inflation shocked the system for Americans, and many are still adjusting to the higher cost of goods. However, this is not the whole story; media silos also influence and frame whether Americans are even aware of the more positive economic news, meaning that even if the economy is doing well, many aren't hearing about it or seeing it.” 

- Sarah Feldman, Editorial Director, Ipsos in the US

 Current economic situation 

A 29-country average of 38% describe the current economic situation in their country as “good”. While this is down 1pp from last month, it remains 3pp higher than this time last year.

 Malaysia has recorded the largest year-on-year increase in the proportion of people describing the country’s economy as good up 33pp since October 2023. This is in part explained by a 17-point increase from last month. 

Five other countries have also recorded double-digit increases in their good economy score from last year: Poland (+17), South Africa (+15), Sweden (+14), Argentina (+14) and the Netherlands (+10). 

Meanwhile, Brazil (-10pp) and France (-8pp) have seen the largest falls in their good economy score since October 2023. Following a 14pp drop from last month, France now sits in joint-last place in our country rankings, tying with Japan at 16%.