Coronavirus outbreak predicted to have an impact on financial markets and the global economy
Half see the virus as a threat to the world and a majority in all countries believe that it will take several months or longer to contain.
According to an Ipsos online survey conducted between February 14 and 15th in nine large countries, the UK public believe that the coronavirus outbreak will have an impact on the financial markets and the global economy (60% agree). However, other countries see higher proportions believing this will be the case: Japan is most likely to agree (84%), followed by Australia (80%), Italy (78%), Russia (76%), Canada (76%) and France (73%). The US is more in line with the UK at 62%.
An analysis of the demographic profiles by country suggests that those in the higher income brackets are more likely to agree that the virus will have an impact on the financial markets.
The survey was conducted among 9,001 adults in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In addition, around half of the UK public see the virus as a very high or high threat to the world (47%), with Russia (46%) and Canada (42%) also slightly below a majority. In contrast, two in three citizens in Japan see the virus as a very high or high threat to the world (66%), followed by Italy (59%), Australia (57%), Germany (54%), France (52%) and the US (52%). These findings are broadly consistent with a previous survey conducted February 7 to 9 2020:
- Slight increase in perception of threat: Germany (+5), UK (+4), Russia (+4), France (+3);
- No change to perception of threat: Japan, Canada; and
- Slight decrease in perception of threat: Australia (-4), US (-3).
Agreement in the UK as to whether the virus poses a very high or high threat to them personally remains stable at just 9% in both weeks and has generally decreased across other countries, with France (7%) and Canada (5%) lowest. By contrast, in Japan, one in four citizens now see the virus as a very high or high threat for them personally (up 9 points from last week).
A majority in each of the countries surveyed believe the outbreak will not be contained any time soon. Only 1% in the UK believe the virus is contained now, while nearly two-thirds (65%) believe the outbreak will take several months or longer to contain. Across countries, around seven in ten indicate that containment will take several months or longer, with this view highest in Japan with 88% and lowest in Russia and the U.S. (60% in each country).