Five things we learned this month about countries in What Worries the World

We look under the bonnet of our What Worries the World survey to see what’s affecting people on a regional and country level. To understand a global picture, read our full report.

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. This wave was conducted between December 22nd – January 6th, 2023.

Here are five things we learned this month:

1. Worry about Covid is back in Asia

After worry about the pandemic fell away in 2022, there has been an increase in concern as we begin the new year. 18 out of 29 countries saw an increase in their coronavirus score this month. While the global average only rose 2pp, there has been a marked rise in Asia Pacific. Malaysia and India have both seen double-digit increases in worry since December (18pp and 11pp respectively).

The region dominates the top of the standings, with the four most worried countries about coronavirus in APAC. Malaysia is now the most worried country with 37% choosing covid as worry, followed by Japan (33%), Thailand (27%), and India (26%).

Arun Menon, Country Manager, Ipsos in Malaysia, explains why there’s been such a rise in worry in the country this month. “Heightened worry about covid in January came from three angles: the resurgence of coronavirus cases, its impact on tourism-driven business, and probable restrictions on domestic travel for the incoming lunar new year by the third week of January."

“Malaysians have missed the last few years of Chinese New Year family reunions due to movement control restrictions; another would have been unthinkable.”

2. People are feeling more positive about life in their country

After a difficult 2022, many are positive at their country’s direction of travel in the new year. Almost two-thirds (18) of the 29 countries in What Worries the World have seen an increase in their right direction score compared to last month. Four in ten (40%) say their country is headed in the right direction, up from 38% in December.

Outside of three months during the beginning of the pandemic (April – June 2020), there have only ever been two months where the global right direction score was higher. In Jan and July 2018, 41% globally said they thought their country was headed in the right direction.

3. No sign of optimism for Britain

While some countries are positive about the path their country is on, one which is not is Great Britain. Only one in four (24%) say the country is headed in the right direction (see above).  Although these figures are a little better than they were: two months ago, only 16% of Brits were happy with the state of affairs in Britain, its lowest recorded score for a decade.

This dissatisfaction is reflected in only one in five (20%) describing the economy as good, with older generations driving this. Only 8% of 55–74-year-olds say the current economic situation is good, the equal lowest score for this age group (previous low was November 2022). This score has tumbled since the pandemic, when back in March 2020 60% of 55-74-year-olds thought the economy was good (see below).

The economy isn’t the only concern for Brits either. In January 2023, 45% said healthcare is one of the biggest issues affecting their country, up 5pp on last month, with GB now fourth out of 29 countries on this issue. This concern has been driven by women who are now much more worried about the state of the health service in GB than men are. More than one in two women (54%) cite healthcare as worry, while only 35% of men do.

4. Economic pressures in Sweden

Great Britain isn’t the only country where people are unhappy with their economy, as this month Sweden fielded their lowest ever score on this measure. Just over a third (35%) describe the country’s economy as good. Coupled with this is an increase in worry about crime & violence, which has been Sweden’s top concern since April 2015, with concern up 5pp from December 2022 to 53%.

Fredrik Hallberg, Country Manager, Ipsos in Sweden, highlights the main economic issue for Swedes is more around personal financial concerns than for the country as a whole.

“The country’s financial situation in Sweden is in fact very strong,” he explains.

“However, the financial situation for households is likely impacting their feeling for the financial situation in the country. Households in Sweden faces huge price increases, inflation is above 10 % and many major banks have estimated that average households may suffer from over 9000 euros per year in extra costs."

“Energy prices are sometimes five times higher compared to the period before the war and interest rates are increasing every quarter. As Swedish households have a very high debt ratio (among the highest in Europe) with a high share of mortgages being with variable interest rates it creates an enormous challenge for households.”

One country where there is a strong degree of satisfaction with the economy is Italy. In January 2023, 32% of Italians described the economy as good, the equal highest score over the last decade. The last time economic satisfaction was this high was October 2021 and this month’s score is a big increase on August’s figure of 20%.

5. While inflation might have peaked globally, concerns are still rising in some places

Inflation remains the top concern in What Worries the World in January, with four in ten (40%) choosing it as one of the big issues affecting their country. This is slightly below November’s peak of 42%. However, for the countries that are more worried about rising prices, concern remains high.

Four of the top five most worried countries about the cost of living saw an increase this month. Argentina (+4pp), Poland (+4pp), Turkey (+8pp) and Canada (+3) all had a rise in concern in January.