What Worries the World – May 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.
May 2026 key findings at a glance
37%
in the US are worried about financial/political corruption – the highest level in 10 years
52%
of Canadians say inflation is a concern – up 5pp from last month
62%
of Hungarians say the nation is on the right track – the highest it has been in over 10 years
58%
in Israel are concerned about crime & violence – up 25pp from last month
56%
in Poland are worried about healthcare – up 10pp over the month
29%
of Brazilians now cite taxes as one of the main issues facing them today
World Worries: Long-Term Trends
Q: Which three of the following topics do you find the most worrying in your country?
Focus on Hungary
This month’s edition includes a special focus on the mood in Hungary. On the 12th of April, Hungary underwent a historic election, in which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had been in power for 16 years, was voted out in favour of incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar. To help explain what’s happening in Hungary, Balázs Feitel, Country Manager for Ipsos in Hungary, provides further context:
Country Manager, Ipsos in Hungary
Download What Worrries the World Survey Report for May 2026
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