Coronavirus

The pandemic has taken an emotional toll on employees globally, with 80 percent of those employed reporting they have faced challenges as a result of the pandemic. These stresses include personal circumstances such as family pressures, feeling lonely and isolated, and employer-related issues such as job security.

The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines will be the largest, fastest and most challenging vaccination program in history. This could bring many problems. Some we will anticipate; some we won’t. One glaring problem that is quickly emerging is a major mismatch between vaccine supply and demand.

How and where the world shops and dines transformed during the coronavirus pandemic. As health orders in many countries have called for sheltering in place and minimizing non-essential trips to curb the spread of the virus, consumers throughout the world report eating in-restaurant less often (63% on average across 28 countries) and shopping online more often (43%) than they did before the pandemic. However, buying locally – whether from local farmers and manufacturers, local businesses, or local restaurants – is largely unchanged compared to before the pandemic.

One in two (50%) around the world say that Coronavirus is one of the top issues facing their country today. Many of the 27 countries surveyed show significant month-on-month increases in reported concern.

Almost a third of people globally have gained weight during pandemic, despite awareness of link between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes.

More than half of the global population would rather exercise more and/or eat more healthily, but not diet as the actions they would take when trying to lose weight. But from a dietary perspective, sugar is seen as the main component that people would look to reduce or eliminate to help with weight loss.

Entrepreneurial spirit is up among women and younger adults.

Our first monthly research round-up of the year includes both reflections on 2020 and a look forward at the year ahead. Featured topics include vaccines, behaviour change, food trends and look at the local story in a selection of countries.

New Ipsos-World Economic Forum survey following the release of a vaccine in the U.S. and U.K finds intentions to get vaccinated up in both countries, but down in several others as many worry about side effects.