What Worries the World – November 2025

Conducted monthly in 30 countries among around 20,000 adults for over a decade, the Ipsos What Worries the World study offers an exceptional snapshot of world opinion on pressing global issues.

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.

Key findings:

  • Crime & violence reaches a new milestone. Across 30 countries the proportion mentioning crime & violence has reached 34%, which is the highest it has been since before the pandemic (September 2019 also recorded 34%). Six countries put it as their primary issue, with Peru top at 70% concerned.
  • Concern about immigration at the highest level for a decade. Immigration control is now singled out as one of the key issues of the day by a fifth (19%) across 30 countries. This is the highest level of concern in 10 years.
  • Bleak economic outlook across nearly all countries. The proportion saying their country’s economy is “good” is struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels, with the exception of Spain, Colombia, and South Korea.
  • Spotlights. This month, we reflect on the 12 months since US President Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election and explore how concerned people are with military conflict between nations, with additional findings from the Ipsos’ World Affairs & Security Report.


World Worries: Long-Term Trends

Q: Which three of the following topics do you find the most worrying in your country?

 

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Right direction vs wrong track

Across 30 countries, the proportion saying their country is “heading in the right direction” has increased to two-fifths (39%).

Two countries seem to be experiencing post-election bumps in people believing their country is on the right track. Argentina held its general election on October 26th. This month its right direction score rose 13 percentage points (pp) to 59%. For comparison, directly after its election in 2023, Argentina’s right direction score went from 19% in November to 51% in December of that year.

The Netherlands had a snap general election on October 29th. The proportion of the Dutch saying the country is on the right track has risen eight pp to 25%. For context, last month’s score was the lowest it has been for the nation since it was added to the survey in October 2019. Next month’s report will tell us whether this momentum continues.

Current economic situation - G7 Countries

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

 

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Current economic situation

South Korea has recorded a huge 23-point increase in its “good economy” score since this time last year, now sitting at 36%, which is the country’s highest score since December 2010 (39%). 

Australia (+12pp) and Argentina (+10pp) have recorded double-digit increases compared with this time last year. 

Malaysians are also feeling positive about their country’s current economy, recording a new all-time highest score of 73%.

While the good economy scores of most countries in our survey have struggled to return to their pre-pandemic levels, Spain, Colombia, & South Korea are the exceptions, steadily increasing over the past few years. 

What Worries the World - Past editions

 

Ipsos Global Opinion Polls

Global Opinion Polls


 

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