Global Affairs: Key insights, data and solutions

Here’s Ipsos' best and freshest data and actionable intelligence on global issues for business leaders, policymakers and insights professionals

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From climate change to economic and geopolitical instability, the 21st century has been defined by complex, interlocking trends at a planetary scale. Here's Ipsos' latest data on these global issues. 

Key takeaways:

Americans think the economy and foreign conflicts are the most pressing issues facing the nation  

The economy is seen as the most important problem by 16% of Americans, followed by war and foreign conflicts at 14%—a 13-point increase from February amid ongoing U.S. military strikes in Iran. When looking at other issues, there are notable partisan differences. (Read more.) 

Violence, inflation, and poverty top list of global worries

On the global stage, concern about inflation has gradually trended downward, according to Ipsos' What Worries the World report. On average across 30 countries, four in ten say their country’s current economic situation is good, rising to more than three in four in Singapore (78%), India (76%), and Malaysia (78%, which marks an all-time high good economy score). However, concern about crime & violence has steadily trended upwards. (Read more.) 

Americans have deep concerns over challenges facing future generations

Childhood tomorrow could look very different from growing up today. The nature and extent of that concern varies, however: 88% of Democrats worry that kids born today will have to deal with the effects of climate change, far more than Republicans (47%) and the general population (68%). (Read more.) 

Most Americans expect extreme weather events to become more frequent in the near future

According to the latest USA Today/Ipsos poll, a majority of Americans (58%) agree that extreme weather events will become more frequent in the near future. But while  84% of Democrats agree that extreme weather events will increase in the near future, only 38% of Republicans feel the same. Democrats are also much more likely than Republicans to say that weather events like extreme heat, wildfires, and hurricanes have gotten more intense in the past decade. (Read more.)

Consumers doubt brands' environmental claims

According to Ipsos' 2025 People and Climate Change report, only one in five (22%) across 32 countries trusts environmental claims made by companies about their products and services. (Read more.)

Consumers around the world say prices are the largest barrier to making more sustainable choices

Around the world, the perception of high prices continue to deter consumers from sustainable spending. (Read more.)

Global attitudes on the climate are converging

 

 

The macro environment for climate is changing rapidly as worldwide investment in renewables continues to rise and the impacts of global warming become more evident. Our data reflects this: globally, views on the importance of climate action are converging, and have increased in intensity over the past ten years. The key question now is how far — and how fast — people are willing to change their daily lives to reach shared goals. (Read more.)

Perspectives around the world on plastic pollution 

Strong majorities across 32 countries agree with a range of bans on plastics and byproducts, while there’s slightly lower support for putting more onus on governments and manufacturers. (Read more.)

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