Coronavirus outbreak predicted to have an impact on financial markets and the global economy

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).

Technical Note

These are the results of an Ipsos survey conducted February 14-15, 2020 on the Global Advisor online platform among 9,0001 adults aged 18-74 in Canada and the United States and 16-74 in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The sample consists of approximately 1000+ individuals in each country. The samples in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population under the age of 75. The sample in Russia is more urban, more educated and/or more affluent than the general population and should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of the population. The data is weighted so that each market’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.

Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses.

The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.

The publication of these findings abides by local rules and regulations.

This study did not have any external sponsors or partners. It was initiated and run by Ipsos with the intention to share our understanding about the world we live in and how citizens around the globe think and feel about their world.