What Worries the World – May 2025

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 and crime & violence are now joint top worries, with a third (33%, on average) worried across 30 countries

Key findings:

• What Worries the World is now a 30-country survey with the addition of Ireland. We have been tracking Ireland since January 2024 and have now officially added the country to the main report. Their primary issue this month is health care.
• Mentions for crime & violence across 30 countries have risen slightly to a third (33%) putting it on equal footing as inflation for joint top worry.
• India’s level of concern for terrorism has risen to 26% citing it, which is the highest since October 2019 (also 26%). Additionally, Colombia’s worry has reached the highest ever level for the nation, up nine points to 27%.
• The proportion of Americans citing taxes has risen four points over the month to a fifth (20%) which is the highest level for the nation in ten years.
• The proportion of Canadians saying their country is “heading in the right direction” has risen to a three-year high with 44% now expressing optimism.
• Ahead of the presidential election next week in South Korea only 15% believe the country is “heading in the right direction” and just 8% say the economy is “good”. Read more about South Korea in our special spotlight feature.
• The proportion of Argentinians expressing concern about inequality has grown by seven points over the month to a ten year high of 46%. It’s now their joint top priority with unemployment.
   

Spotlight: South Korea

Ahead of the South Korea presidential election next week, we look at how people are feeling in the country.

South Korea is second from bottom on our list in terms of the proportion of people saying their country “is heading in the right direction”, with only 15% stating so. A similar sentiment is also felt about the economy. Pessimism is usually the standard for South Korea; however, their economic indicator score has been particularly low in recent times, with just 8% believing the economy is “good”.

These attitudes are reflected in the country’s top worries this month. Concern for unemployment has jumped seven points to 45%. Additionally, after martial law was enacted, worry about corruption has remained high with 44% mentioning it. Furthermore, nearly two-fifths (38%) say inflation is a top priority.

To provide further context, Hwanglye Park, CEO Ipsos in South Korea says:

The prolonged domestic political uncertainty in South Korea after failure of martial law by ex-president, coupled with concerns over the US tariff policy, has led to a deterioration in economic sentiment. 
Additionally, temporary factors such as large-scale wildfires, construction halts at some sites, and a hacking attack on the country's top telecommunications company leading to subscriber data leaks, appear to have influenced the economy negatively, resulting in slowed economic growth, falling prices, and contracted investment. 
The manufacturing sector continues to decline, particularly focusing on non-IT industries, while the construction sector faces deepening downturns due to the construction market slump. This has contributed to reduced growth in employment numbers, heightening anxiety about the job market. 
Moreover, political conflict and instability persist as the country approaches the presidential impeachment trial (April 4) and the 21st presidential election (June 3), further impacting the What Worries the World results in South Korea.

Additionally, read Flair South Korea 2025 for in-depth analysis of the country.

South Korea Right/Wrong Direction

Q: Would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?

Inflation

Across 30 countries the proportion citing inflation remains at a third (33%) but is now joint first with crime & violence.

In Great Britain, the percentage of Brits expressing worry about the cost-of-living has risen six points over the month to 36%. This seems to be an ongoing concern in the nation, with the same level last seen in April 2024.

Likewise, the portion of Chileans who say they’re concerned about inflation has increased seven points to a quarter (25%). However, this is four points lower than a year ago.

Crime & violence

Over the last 12 months, worries about crime & violence has been steadily rising. The proportion mentioning it across 30 countries is now at a third (33%), joint top with inflation.

Typically, LATAM countries are particularly worried, and this month is no different. However, parts of Europe are now experiencing elevated levels of concern. This is felt especially in Belgium which has reached a ten-year high after the share expressing worry grew six points to a third (33%).

Similarly, the portion of French saying they’re worried has climbed five points to 42%. This is 13 points higher than last May and the highest it has been since July 2023 (when it was 49%).

Italy (31%) and the Netherlands (26%) have also experienced escalations, increasing over the month four and five points, respectively.

Poverty & social inequality

Across 30 countries the proportion mentioning inequality increased slightly to three in ten (29%).

This May, the proportion of Argentinians expressing concern about inequality rose to a record high of 46%. This marks a seven-point increase from last month, and a five-point rise compared to the same time last year. It is also the highest level recorded in the past decade.

We see similar rises in concern in some parts of APAC. For instance, the portion of Japanese citing inequality has increased four points to 37%, which is the highest it has been since December 2023 (also 37%). South Korea’s score has risen six points to a quarter (26%) picking it. However, this is relatively normal for the country. 

Terrorism

Across 30 countries, the proportion mentioning terrorism has risen slightly to one in 11 (9%).

Since October 2023, terrorism has consistently been the top concern for people in Israel. This trend continues in the latest data, with 47% of respondents saying they are worried about terrorism – a slight increase from the previous month. However, this figure remains well below the peak of 64% recorded in December 2023.

In the wake of recent incidents on its northern border, India’s level of worry has reached a five-year high after mentions increased 11 points to 26%. This is 14 points higher than 12 months ago and the highest it has been since October 2019 (also 26%).

Colombia’s level of concern has also reached new heights after the proportion mentioning it rose nine points to 27%. This is not only 15 points higher than a year ago but the highest it has been since the country was added to the survey in March 2021.
 

Current economic situation

Q: How would you describe the current economic situation in your country?

Current economic situation

On average across 30 countries, 36% of people describe the current economic situation in their country as “good”, down slightly from last month. 
Up most from this time last year are Malaysia (+22pp to 69%) and Argentina (+17pp to 33%). 

On the other end of the spectrum, France (-16pp to 16%) and Mexico (-15pp to 43%) have seen the largest 12-month drops.

Spain has experienced a particularly strong year economically. This month, 43% of people rate the economy positively – just one point below the all-time high of 44%, recorded in August 2024. Remarkably, nine of Spain’s highest-ever positive economy ratings have occurred within the past 12 months.

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