Ambivalence characterizes attitudes to globalization and trade
Ipsos' global survey conducted with the World Economic Forum highlights mixed views on international trade. Read the highlights from the article here.
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In our recent survey across 25 countries, most adults agree that expanding trade is a good thing. Yet in most countries, more agree than disagree that there should be more trade barriers to limit imports of foreign goods and services.
The survey findings uncover a mix of polarization and ambivalence among the public throughout the world about free trade, globalization, and protectionist policies. On average, only 48% agree that globalization is a good thing for their country. This is 10 percentage points less than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. While favorability toward globalization is down in all countries, it continues to vary widely among them, ranging from 72% in Malaysia to 27% in France.
When asked whether globalization hinders the democratic process in their country or the implementation of effective economic policies by their national government, opinions also differ greatly across countries. However, many provide neutral responses, signaling uncertainty about the issue.
Although views on globalization are mixed, few disagree that investment by global companies in their country is essential for its growth and expansion.
Support for expanding trade - but with protectionist measures
Majorities in all 25 countries surveyed agree that expanding trade is a good thing, averaging at 75%. Only 5% disagree.
- Agreement is highest in Peru (87%), Malaysia, Russia, Argentina, and Chile (all 86%) while it is lowest in France (51%) and Germany (55%).
However, an average of 37% agrees there should be more trade barriers to limit imports of foreign goods and services in their country vs. 27% who disagree. About one-third (36%) are neutral or don’t have an opinion.
- Majorities in three countries (Turkey, Colombia, and South Africa).
- Pluralities in four countries (South Korea, Sweden, Great Britain, and Germany) disagree.
- The prevailing opinion in the other eight countries is neutral.
Mixed and declining sentiment toward globalization
An average of 48% globally agrees that globalization is a good thing for their country while just 13% disagree and the rest are neutral or unsure.
- Majorities in nine countries have a positive assessment of globalization with the largest ones in Malaysia (72%), South Africa (64%), Peru (63%), Brazil (62%), and South Korea (61%).
- Countries with the lowest levels of agreement that globalization is a good thing for them are France (27%), Russia (34%), and Belgium (35%).
In every one of the 23 countries where Ipsos had already asked the same question in 2019, fewer agree that globalization is a good thing for their country than they did then.
- The decline in positive views about globalization across the 23 countries averages 10 percentage points. It is steepest in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Peru.
Public opinion across the world is divided on whether globalization prevents national governments from implementing effective economic policies or the proper functioning of democracy.
- On average, 31% agree and 28% disagree that globalization prevents their country’s government from implementing effective economic policies while 42% are neutral or have no opinion. No country shows a majority agreeing or a majority disagreeing.
- An average of 28% agrees that globalization prevents democracy in their country from functioning well while a larger proportion disagree (32%) and an even larger group are neutral or have no opinion (40%). Agreement is highest in France (41%), Turkey (39%), Italy (38%), and Malaysia (38%) while South Korea is the only country with a majority disagreeing (56%).
Majority support for foreign investment
An average of 63% globally agrees that investment by global companies in their country is essential for their growth and expansion while just 9% disagree and the rest are neutral or not sure.
- Agreement is highest in Malaysia (87%) and South Africa (81%) and lowest in Germany (48%) and Japan (49%).
- Disagreement does not exceed 15% in any country.
Read the World Article Forum article
