What Worries the World – July 2025: Thailand Highlights
The latest Ipsos What Worries the World survey for July 2025 reveals a significant shift in the anxieties of the Thai population, with "military conflict between nations" emerging as a rapidly escalating concern. This is alongside a continued pessimistic outlook on the nation's direction and economic health, according to the global survey conducted across 30 countries.
Top Worries in Thailand
Rising Alarm Over Military Conflict
In a notable trend, worry about "military conflict between nations" among Thais has seen a dramatic increase, jumping 28 percentage points from the previous month and a staggering 33 percentage points compared to last year, reaching 37%. This heightened concern can be directly linked to the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which has dominated headlines and fueled public apprehension. The data underscores how geopolitical tensions directly impact public sentiment and create domestic anxieties.
Corruption Concerns Overtake Social Inequality
Financial and political corruption remains the top worry in Thailand at 46%. This concern has increased by 7 percentage points from last year, now firmly surpassing poverty and social inequality (40%) as the leading anxiety for the nation.
A Nation Questioning its Direction while Economic Pessimism Persists
The survey indicates a growing sense of unease regarding the country's trajectory. A significant 59% of Thais believe the country is heading towards the "wrong track", a substantial 14 percentage point increase from last year.
Thailand's economic sentiment remains largely negative, with 68% of the population describing the current economic situation as "bad". This figure represents a 13 percentage point rise in pessimism compared to last year, suggesting that economic challenges continue to weigh heavily on the minds of Thai citizens. While global inflation concerns have seen some shifts, the continued "bad" economic sentiment in Thailand highlights unique domestic pressures.
Thailand in a Global Context
Globally, the "What Worries the World" survey for July 2025 identifies "Crime & Violence" (32%) and "Inflation" (31%) as the top two global concerns. While these remain prevalent worldwide, Thailand's specific anxieties, particularly around military conflict and financial/political corruption, highlight a localized focus driven by regional events and domestic issues. For instance, while some countries like Argentina, Colombia, and the U.S. have seen dramatic drops in inflation concern, Thailand's economic worries continue to intensify.
