2025 Year in Review: How Public Priorities Shifted across Asia Pacific

The Ipsos 2025 Year in Review reflects where public attention shifted, which pressures mattered most and how national conversations evolved across technology, governance, economic conditions and social change. 

Australia focused on AI regulation and youth exposure to technology. 67% say AI products and services make them nervous, the highest across 30 countries. The upcoming social media ban for under-16s also influenced national discussion on digital wellbeing. 

New Zealand remained centered on inflation, with 60% naming it the top issue and government performance in managing national issues falling to 4.2 out of 10, its lowest since 2017. 

India recorded a rise in attention to mental wellbeing, with 73% thinking about it often, up from 58% in 2024, against a year of geopolitical and economic strain. 
In Thailand, corruption was the top concern at 51%, while concern about military conflict remained significant at 41%. Earlier in the year, concern about military conflict rose in response to the border disputes with Cambodia before easing as domestic government issues returned to the forefront. 

Malaysia focused on immigration pressures, with 90% saying there are too many immigrants, the highest across 38 countries. 

People in Singapore have confidence in the direction the country is headed and in the quality of its public services. In What Worries the World survey, Singaporeans are the most likely to think their country is headed in the right direction (77%). When we asked to compare live in today compared to 50 years ago people are much more likely to feel healthcare and education (84% and 76% respectively) are better today. Despite this, and high economic growth the city state has experienced in the last five decades, Singaporeans are still more likely to say they would rather have been born in 1975 than 2025 (34% vs 30%).

Japan’s appointment of its first female prime minister influenced expectations for gender representation, though only 19% believe gender equality will progress in the next five years. 

South Korea continued to show support for globalization at 77% and strong preference for domestic products at 76%. 

Indonesia maintained resilience despite a 9.2-point decline in consumer confidence and shifts in perceptions of national economy over the year, including periods of stronger and weaker performance reflected in the Good Economy Score. 

China accelerated AI integration, with 91% saying AI has a positive impact and adoption of DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-RI across major consumer and technology products.

These shifts outline the context in which Asia Pacific enters 2026, with each market carrying forward distinct pressures and priorities.  

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