What Worries the World – August 2024

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. Inflation remains the number one concern for the 29th consecutive month, but worry is at its lowest since March 2022.

Key findings: 

• Inflation has been the number one global concern overall in our What Worries the World survey for over two years.
• However, worry over rising prices is at its lowest since March 2022, now at a third (32%).
• Despite recent unrest, Great Britain is showing increased optimism. The proportion saying the country is headed in the right direction is up sixteen points.
• Peruvians now put poverty & social inequality as their primary concern, with just over half (51%) saying it is an issue facing their country.
• Argentina’s level of worry about unemployment (51%) has been steadily increasing since December 2023. It is now the nation’s second biggest concern, just behind inflation.e. However, they’ve also experienced the biggest month-on-month increase in the proportion of people saying the economy is in “good” shape.

Inflation 

Around one in three (31%) across 29 countries say rising prices is an issue and has been the number one overall concern for 29 consecutive months. This month sees a slight decrease from last month and worry levels are five points lower than a year ago.

Argentina and Poland have been historically worried countries, and their level of concern remains relatively high. However, looking over the year, Argentina’s score is down 17 points, and Poland’s score has fallen 10 points. Argentina was the most concerned country for 18 months in a row (between November 2022 – April 2024).

Türkiye’s score is also down this month by six points to half (50%) mentioning it. This is eight points lower than last year and the joint lowest score for 2024.

Similarly, Great Britain’s level of concern has significantly dropped since last year by 16 points, now 27% citing it.

Poverty & social inequality 

The proportion mentioning poverty & social inequality across 29 countries has risen marginally this month to just over three in ten (31%), putting this issue close to equal footing with inflation.

Peruvians are particularly worried about inequality this August. The proportion saying they are concerned is up 26 percentage points to half (51%). Not only is this 18 points higher than a year ago, but it is also the highest level we’ve recorded for the nation.

Peru’s neighbour, Colombia, is also experiencing heightened concern after increasing 10 points to two-fifths (41%) worried. This is the country’s highest score since July 2022 when it was at 43%.

On the flip side, Mexicans are significantly less worried this month, down 15 points and five points lower than a year ago.

Immigration control

The proportion mentioning immigration control across 29 countries remains at 17% this month. Looking at the year-to-date change, however, we see it is four points higher than August 2023. 

This month Chile is the most worried nation, with nearly half (47%) choosing it as a top issue. This is after an 11-point increase since July. Although Chile’s score has been fluctuating around two-fifths since the beginning of 2024, it is still 22 points higher than a year ago. 

This is the fifth consecutive month that Germany has put immigration control as their primary concern (before that it was inflation). This month sees worry fall four points for Germans though, becoming more equal with other issues. 

Great Britain’s score is the second-highest recorded level of concern for the country this year, reaching 30% this month. The highest score was in June 2024 when it was 32%.

Current economic situation

On average across 29 countries, 38% rate their country’s current economic situation as good, up one point from last month. 

The biggest increases in positive economic perceptions are in Belgium and South Africa, both up nine points from last month. South Africa’s score over the last year has seen the biggest increase in those saying the economy is doing well – up 17 points from last August to today’s 34%. 

The next biggest year-to-date increase is the Netherlands who, despite decreasing slightly this month, are up 15 points from a year ago. 

France also sees an increase of seven points, although, with 22% now positive, remains one of the gloomiest countries. 

A six-point increase in Spain sees the country record its highest ever good economy score (43%). Meanwhile, Thailand and Mexico are both down six points.