BUSINESS & POLITICS IN THE WORLD

 

GLOBAL OPINION REPORT NO. 668

 

 

Week: December 07 – December 13, 2020

 

Presentation: December 18, 2020

 

 

Contents

 

94% Japanese Switch to Personal Shopping Bags: Shoppers decline to pay for plastic bags in win for plan to cut waste  2

SUMMARY OF POLLS. 3

ASIA   8

Shoppers decline to pay for plastic bags in win for plan to cut waste. 8

Zomato & Swiggy lead food delivery race in India, yet many prefer ordering through QSR mobile apps. 8

Singaporeans most likely to cite official restrictions as their reason for not travelling. 10

MENA   12

Two Thirds of Palestinians Demand The Resignation of President Abbas. 12

AFRICA.. 13

Malians think that there is more that unites them than what divides them but that we must be wary of others. 13

EUROPE.. 13

Will the French celebrate Christmas this year?. 13

The Chinese electronics brand Xiaomi is becoming better known, but hardly in demand. 15

Christmas gifts with Covid-19: useful gifts and conscious shopping. 16

One in three people exposed to COVID-19 anti-vax messages. 18

What makes people donate to charity?. 22

3 in 10 Brits do not plan to travel domestically or internationally in the next year 24

Britons most likely to say COVID has taken a toll on their mental health. 25

NORTH AMERICA.. 26

More Americans Practicing Strict Social Distancing. 26

Mask Use Far Less Common at Private Gatherings Than in Public. 31

Americans' Satisfaction With Health Costs at New High. 34

Social media continue to be important political outlets for Black Americans. 40

AUSTRALIA.. 50

Over 16 million Australians entertained & amused online. 50

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES. 53

YouGov shows what travel plans people in the Nordics have for the coming year 53

Taking Arabs’ Pulse on Normalization of Ties with Israel 56

 


 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

 

This weekly report consists of nineteen surveys. The report includes two multi-country studies from different states across the globe.

 

668-43-20/Commentary:

94% Japanese Switch to Personal Shopping Bags: Shoppers decline to pay for plastic bags in win for plan to cut waste

From July 1, all shops in Japan, such as convenience stores, have been required to charge for plastic shopping bags.

Japan's campaign to get customers to sack the use of plastic shopping bags by making stores charge for them is working, an Environment Ministry survey showed.

During a single week, 72 percent of respondents declined offers to purchase plastic bags at stores, and 94 percent had their own shopping bags, according to the survey's results announced by the ministry on Dec. 9 at an event in Tokyo.

For the ministry, the statistics came as a pleasant surprise.

“Honestly, I was thinking like, ‘Is it possible?’ But we achieved our goal,” said Yoshihide Hirao, chief of the ministry's recycling promotion section.

In March, just 30 percent of shoppers turned down offers of plastic bags.

The rate of people who declined the bags more than doubled from March after all stores were required to charge fees for them from July 1.

The ministry in late November surveyed approximately 2,000 people online aged 15 to 79, living in Hokkaido, the Kanto and Kyushu regions and elsewhere on their plastic bag use. 

Within this year, it had aimed to achieve a refusal rate of 60 percent.

Among people in their 60s or older, 84 percent declined to buy bags. The percentage figure was the highest among all age groups. 

On the other hand, the corresponding figure was the lowest among people in their 20s with 57 percent. 

Women, on the whole, declined to purchase bags more than men.

People bought plastic bags mainly because they forgot to bring their own or wanted them to use as garbage bags.

Some plastic shopping bags are still provided free of charge, such as ones without handles.

But about half of the respondents said that they wouldn't buy them if they are charged and 52 percent said they carry their own shopping bags all the time.

“Requiring stores to charge for plastic bags has proven quite effective,” a ministry official said.

After stores began charging for the bags, 80 percent of respondents said that their awareness of plastic waste issues had been “heightened.”

The rate also jumped from 30 percent to more than 70 percent after stores started requiring people to pay for the bags, according to a survey on the refusal rate in July by three major convenience store companies. 

(The Asahi Shimbun)

December 10, 2020

Source: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14007440

668-43-21/Country Profile: Japan

 

 

 


 

SUMMARY OF POLLS

ASIA

(Japan)

Shoppers decline to pay for plastic bags in win for plan to cut waste

Japan's campaign to get customers to sack the use of plastic shopping bags by making stores charge for them is working, an Environment Ministry survey showed. During a single week, 72 percent of respondents declined offers to purchase plastic bags at stores, and 94 percent had their own shopping bags, according to the survey's results announced by the ministry on Dec. 9 at an event in Tokyo. (The Asahi Shimbun)

December 10, 2020

(India)

Zomato & Swiggy lead food delivery race in India, yet many prefer ordering through QSR mobile apps

Online food ordering has gained momentum amidst the pandemic, putting a greater focus on mobile apps and digital services. Earlier this year restaurants were in a state of rebellion against food aggregator platforms due to high commissions charged on deliveries. This led to many restaurants cutting ties with these platforms or branching out on their own. COVID-19 hastened the transition for many players, resulting in new or upgraded restaurant apps. (YouGov)

December 09, 2020

(Singapore)

Singaporeans most likely to cite official restrictions as their reason for not travelling

Despite coronavirus-related curbs existing around the world, Singaporeans are the most likely nationality – alongside the British – to cite travel restrictions as the factor preventing them from travelling right now, new research from YouGov reveals.  The data, collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, shows that two thirds (67%) of Singaporeans say that the current regulations are preventing them from travelling. (YouGov)

December 09, 2020

 

MENA

(Palestine)

Two Thirds of Palestinians Demand The Resignation of President Abbas

Two thirds demand the resignation of president Abbas amidst a split around the resumption of coordination with Israel, with a majority expressing the view that Israel came out the winner, and fearing the step could expand Arab normalization deals with Israel and reduce the prospect for reconciliation and the holding of elections. However, the majority expresses optimism about the Joe Biden election and support holding dialogue with the new U.S. administration. (Arab Barometer)

December 15, 2020

 

AFRICA

(Mali)

Malians think that there is more that unites them than what divides them but that we must be wary of others

The results of the most recent Afrobarometer survey in Mali reveal that the vast majority of Malians believe that there is more that unites them than that which divides them. In a country in conflict since 2012, these data show an aspiration for national unity and the will to live together regardless of origin, ethnicity, and religion (but not sexual orientation). However, the vast majority also believe that one should be wary of others. (Afrobarometer)

December 11, 2020

 

EUROPE

(France)

Will the French celebrate Christmas this year?

85% of French people say they are used to celebrating Christmas. However, this year, in a context of health crisis and restrictive measures, more than 1 in 6 people (17%) will celebrate neither Christmas nor New Year's Day. If 73% of French people intend to celebrate Christmas, we observe that this figure is lower among those aged 55 and over (68%) than among those aged 18-24 (83%). (YouGov)

December 14, 2020

(Germany)

Xiaomi is becoming better known, but hardly in demand

Admittedly, we didn't lean too far out of the window when we predicted a year ago that Xiaomi will gain much popularity in Germany in 2020. The size of the increase is impressive despite the predictability of the trend: A year ago, 22 percent of Germans were familiar with Xiaomi, today 37 percent have already heard of the brand. This is all the more impressive given the fact that, due to the pandemic, physical presence with shops may have played a lesser role. However, other dimensions from the BrandIndex, the YouGov brand monitor, indicate that Xiaomi still has some persuasive work to do. (YouGov)

December 14, 2020

(Italy)

Christmas gifts with Covid-19: useful gifts and conscious shopping

Every Christmas, it's the same story: Italians improvise themselves as actors to pretend to appreciate useless gifts. L ' 83% of respondents, including especially women, pretended at least once received the gift he liked the 54% instead recycled at least one gift. Until you get to extreme solutions, ie, the 26% has thrown a gift found under the Christmas tree and the 21% has the resold. This year the purchase of gifts will take place in a conscious way, paying attention to price (for 57% of respondents), usefulness of the gift (52%), specific wishes and needs of the recipients of this. (YouGov)

December 10, 2020

(UK)

One in three people exposed to COVID-19 anti-vax messages

A new survey by Ipsos MORI and King's College London Policy Institute shows that one in three people in the UK (34%) say they have seen or heard messages discouraging the public from getting a coronavirus vaccine. One in three people in the UK (34%) say they’ve seen or heard messages discouraging the public from getting a coronavirus vaccine, and anti-vax voices are using social media to amplify their messages, a new study has found. (Ipsos MORI)

December 13, 2020

(UK)

What makes people donate to charity?

Britons are more likely to give to charity if asked in person – by someone such as a friend or a fundraiser – than if prompted by an advert or email. Many charities are struggling to stay afloat as a result of the pandemic, with a new study suggesting that approaching half could run out of cash in the next year. YouGov Profiles data shows that a third (33%) of Britons who have donated to charity did it without being prompted. (YouGov)

December 10, 2020

(UK)

3 in 10 Brits do not plan to travel domestically or internationally in the next year

Despite coronavirus-related curbs existing around the globe, Brits are the most likely nationality in the world – alongside Singaporeans to say travel restrictions are preventing them from travelling right now, new research from YouGov reveals.  The data collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, and almost 17,000 people, shows that two thirds (67%) of British people say that the current regulations are preventing them from travelling. This compares to 58% who say that health concerns are doing the same. (YouGov)

December 09, 2020

(UK)

Britons most likely to say COVID has taken a toll on their mental health

The results of a new international YouGov survey, conducted among more than 21,000 people in 16 countries and regions, shows that the coronavirus crisis has taken the heaviest toll on mental health in the UK. Almost two-thirds (65%) of Britons say that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the state of their mental health, including 10% who say it has had a “very negative” impact. Hong Kongers are the second most likely to report a deterioration in their mental health, at 63%, followed by Italians on 62%. (YouGov)

December 12, 2020

 

NORTH AMERICA

More Americans Practicing Strict Social Distancing

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in the U.S., a growing percentage of Americans are practicing strict social distancing. Half of Americans now say they are completely (16%) or mostly (34%) isolating themselves from people outside their household. The combined 50% is up from 38% in the previous poll and the highest it has been since May. Yet, the latest reading is well below the peak in social distancing that came in late March and early April -- three-quarters of Americans were completely or mostly isolating themselves when many states had issued stay-at-home orders. (Gallup USA)

December 11, 2020

Mask Use Far Less Common at Private Gatherings Than in Public

As COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide and health officials attribute the uptick at least in part to small family get-togethers and other private social gatherings, new data from the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study show that Americans are much less likely to wear a mask when indoors with non-household members than they are to wear one inside stores and other businesses. (Gallup USA)

December 14, 2020

Americans' Satisfaction With Health Costs at New High

As 2020 comes to a close, Americans' assessments of their healthcare are generally elevated, including record levels rating their healthcare coverage positively and feeling satisfied with their healthcare costs. A record-low percentage say their healthcare costs went up this year. Relatedly, the lowest percentage Gallup has measured in over a decade say they put off medical care this year specifically because of the cost they would have to pay. (Gallup USA)

December 14, 2020

Social media continue to be important political outlets for Black Americans

Social media platforms have served as venues for political engagement and social activism for many years, especially for Black Americans. This was evident again in 2020, when the killing of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by a White Minneapolis police officer resulted in widespread protests that demonstrated the reach and power of these platforms. Across Pew Research Center surveys, Black social media users have been particularly likely to say that these sites are personally important to them for getting involved with issues they care about or finding like-minded people. (PEW)

December 11, 2020

 

AUSTRALIA

Over 16 million Australians entertained & amused online

New research from Roy Morgan shows 16.2 million Australians aged 14+ (77%) access entertainment and amusement services online in an average four weeks including watching videos, listening to music, playing games, uploading photos, downloading music, watching TV, streaming or downloading video clips, TV programs, games, feature length movies and more. (Roy Morgan)

December 14, 2020

 

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

YouGov shows what travel plans people in the Nordics have for the coming year

Our data, collected by YouGov Global Travel Profiles in 25 countries, show that Finns are the people in Europe who are most likely to plan a holiday in their own country in the next 12 months (56%). Danes are most likely to plan an international trip (36%), closely followed by Norwegians (34%). Among the Nordic countries, Swedes are the ones who to the greatest extent state that they have no plans to travel at all during the next 12 months (23%). (YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Taking Arabs’ Pulse on Normalization of Ties with Israel

On December 10, Morocco became the most recent country to initiate the normalization of relations with the State of Israel, following examples of the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan earlier in 2020.  These peace treaties have broken a long-standing impasse with Israel across the region and will change the direction of international relations within MENA. While governments are actively engaging Israel, ordinary citizens have very low levels of support for these treaties. (Arab Barometer)

December 11, 2020

 

 

 


 

ASIA

668-43-01/Poll

Shoppers decline to pay for plastic bags in win for plan to cut waste

From July 1, all shops in Japan, such as convenience stores, have been required to charge for plastic shopping bags. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Japan's campaign to get customers to sack the use of plastic shopping bags by making stores charge for them is working, an Environment Ministry survey showed.

During a single week, 72 percent of respondents declined offers to purchase plastic bags at stores, and 94 percent had their own shopping bags, according to the survey's results announced by the ministry on Dec. 9 at an event in Tokyo.

For the ministry, the statistics came as a pleasant surprise.

“Honestly, I was thinking like, ‘Is it possible?’ But we achieved our goal,” said Yoshihide Hirao, chief of the ministry's recycling promotion section.

In March, just 30 percent of shoppers turned down offers of plastic bags.

The rate of people who declined the bags more than doubled from March after all stores were required to charge fees for them from July 1.

The ministry in late November surveyed approximately 2,000 people online aged 15 to 79, living in Hokkaido, the Kanto and Kyushu regions and elsewhere on their plastic bag use. 

Within this year, it had aimed to achieve a refusal rate of 60 percent.

Among people in their 60s or older, 84 percent declined to buy bags. The percentage figure was the highest among all age groups. 

On the other hand, the corresponding figure was the lowest among people in their 20s with 57 percent. 

Women, on the whole, declined to purchase bags more than men.

People bought plastic bags mainly because they forgot to bring their own or wanted them to use as garbage bags.

Some plastic shopping bags are still provided free of charge, such as ones without handles.

But about half of the respondents said that they wouldn't buy them if they are charged and 52 percent said they carry their own shopping bags all the time.

“Requiring stores to charge for plastic bags has proven quite effective,” a ministry official said.

After stores began charging for the bags, 80 percent of respondents said that their awareness of plastic waste issues had been “heightened.”

The rate also jumped from 30 percent to more than 70 percent after stores started requiring people to pay for the bags, according to a survey on the refusal rate in July by three major convenience store companies. 

(The Asahi Shimbun)

December 10, 2020

Source: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14007440

668-43-02/Poll

Zomato & Swiggy lead food delivery race in India, yet many prefer ordering through QSR mobile apps

A majority of urban Indians have downloaded their favourite QSR’s app, and many claim their order frequency has increased since then

Online food ordering has gained momentum amidst the pandemic, putting a greater focus on mobile apps and digital services.

Earlier this year restaurants were in a state of rebellion against food aggregator platforms due to high commissions charged on deliveries. This led to many restaurants cutting ties with these platforms or branching out on their own.

COVID-19 hastened the transition for many players, resulting in new or upgraded restaurant apps. 

YouGov’s latest survey shows when it comes to food delivery from QSR chains; three in five urban Indians (60%) prefer ordering food through apps such as Zomato and Swiggy.

Even though a majority prefer to order through a third-party app, many people (35%) choose to place their order directly through a restaurant’s mobile app or online through its website (26%).

A few (18%) prefer ordering through both- food aggregator as well as restaurant apps.

When it comes to quick-service restaurants, more than three in five (62%) urban Indians claim to have the mobile apps of their favorite chains. One in six (15%) seem to be ignorant about the restaurant’s app but are willing to download it. Whereas, a fifth (19%) are still reluctant to download the app despite being aware of it.

Out of those hesitant to download the apps, close to half (45%) said they prefer ordering food through a food aggregator’s app than a restaurant app, and a little over a third (35%) are more confident of the safety practices followed by the former.

Even though food aggregators lead the delivery race, not all is lost for restaurants. Among those who already have the app of their favourite food chains, close to half (45%) admit their order frequency has increased since they downloaded the app.

The pandemic has made the world more digitally inclined. When asked how they came to know about their favourite restaurant’s app, social media (72%) emerged as the top source, followed by online ads (65%) and word of mouth publicity by friends or family (51%). This indicates digital ads should be highly considered by food chains in their promotional strategies.

Talking about what would encourage people to download and use the mobile apps of quick-service restaurants, more than half pointed towards discount coupons and special offers by restaurants on their apps (52%).

Many respondents said they would be encouraged to order upon seeing the safety and quality norms practised by the restaurant for deliveries (46%), while others are attracted towards cashback on certain credit cards (43%).

Faster or timely deliveries and no delivery charges (42% for each) are some of the other steps that restaurants can take to entice customers to order through their mobile apps.  

(YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Source: https://in.yougov.com/en-hi/news/2020/12/09/zomato-swiggy-lead-food-delivery-race-india-yet-ma/

668-43-03/Poll

Singaporeans most likely to cite official restrictions as their reason for not travelling

Despite coronavirus-related curbs existing around the world, Singaporeans are the most likely nationality – alongside the British – to cite travel restrictions as the factor preventing them from travelling right now, new research from YouGov reveals.  

The data, collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, shows that two thirds (67%) of Singaporeans say that the current regulations are preventing them from travelling. This compares to 61% who say that health concerns are doing the same. 

In most markets around the world, these factors are ranked the other way around, with health concerns outweighing restrictions as a reason not to travel. But this data suggests that for Singaporeans, the restrictions alone are enough of a reason to stay at home.  

The barriers preventing would-be travellers from going on holiday are dampening Singaporeans’ desire to take vacations. Fewer than three in ten (28%) say they plan to take an international holiday in the next 12 months and only 14% are looking to vacation domestically, the lowest ranked of the 20 markets surveyed.  

The data comes from Global Travel Profiles, a new research tool which tracks global consumer sentiment and attitudes every day across the largest travel and tourism markets. It is created so that those in the tourism industry can analyse how to best target their audiences for growth – identifying who is ready to travel when, and what kind of travel they are planning.

Fully customisable by geography, subscribers can discover emerging trends on intended travel habits and behaviours for the forthcoming 12 months. It provides a holistic view of the travel market, including granular consumer insights on preferred locations, booking methods, accommodation and transportation preferences.

YouGov Global Travel Profiles is connected to YouGov’s market-leading depth and breadth of consumer data meaning it provides a much wider dataset than just isolated travel attitudes. It is an extension to YouGov’s connected data solutions and is complementary to YouGov DestinationIndex.

Eva Stewart of YouGov: “YouGov Global Travel Profiles is vital to industry insiders looking to understand traveller expectations in the current climate as the tourism industry readies itself to step into the post-COVID world. It is the perfect, cost-effective resource for strategic, operational and marketing activities, delivering the most up-to-date, robust data on changing attitudes to travel.”

(YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Source: https://sg.yougov.com/en-sg/news/2020/12/09/singaporeans-travellers-most-likely-cite-official-/

MENA

668-43-04/Poll

Two Thirds of Palestinians Demand The Resignation of President Abbas

Two thirds demand the resignation of president Abbas amidst a split around the resumption of coordination with Israel, with a majority expressing the view that Israel came out the winner, and fearing the step could expand Arab normalization deals with Israel and reduce the prospect for reconciliation and the holding of elections. However, the majority expresses optimism about the Joe Biden election and support holding dialogue with the new U.S. administration.

These are the results of the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between 8-11 December 2020, conducted in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Ramallah. The period before the poll witnessed several developments including the reversal of PA’s May 2020 decision to end security and civil coordination with Israel and the resumption of that coordination, the election of Joe Biden as president of the US, the signing of a normalization agreement between Sudan and Israel, and the failure of Palestinian reconciliation efforts to reach an agreement on holding Palestinian elections. This press release addresses these issues and covers other matters such as Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections, general conditions in the Palestinian territories, the peace process and the future possible directions for Palestinians in the absence of a viable peace process. Total size of the sample is 1270 adults interviewed face to face in 127 randomly selected locations. Margin of error is +/-3%.

(Arab Barometer)

December 15, 2020

Source: https://www.arabbarometer.org/2020/12/two-thirds-of-palestinians-demand-the-resignation-of-president-abbas/

AFRICA

668-43-05/Poll

Malians think that there is more that unites them than what divides them but that we must be wary of others

The results of the most recent Afrobarometer survey in Mali reveal that the vast majority of Malians believe that there is more that unites them than that which divides them.

 

In a country in conflict since 2012, these data show an aspiration for national unity and the will to live together regardless of origin, ethnicity, and religion (but not sexual orientation). However, the vast majority also believe that one should be wary of others.

 

National unity also requires inclusion and good governance. To this end, we must take into account the minority of Malians who think that they are treated unfairly by other Malians on the basis of their religion or their ethnicity.

 

While eight in 10 Malians believe that what unites them is more important than what divides them, two in 10 citizens think the opposite. The challenge for the State and peacebuilding actors would thus be to analyze the root causes of the dividing factors as perceived by this non-negligible proportion of citizens.

(Afrobarometer)

December 11, 2020

Source: https://www.afrobarometer.org/press/unite-nationale-les-maliens-pensent-quil-ya-plus-qui-les-unit-que-ce-qui-les-divise-mais-quil

 

EUROPE

668-43-06/Poll

Will the French celebrate Christmas this year?

85% of French people say they are used to celebrating Christmas. However, this year, in a context of health crisis and restrictive measures, more than 1 in 6 people (17%) will celebrate neither Christmas nor New Year's Day.

Strong disparities between generations

If 73% of French people intend to celebrate Christmas, we observe that this figure is lower among those aged 55 and over (68%) than among those aged 18-24 (83%).

According to the results of our survey, only 43% of the population will celebrate New Year's Eve - a figure that however climbs to 64% among 18-24 year olds (compared to 31% of those 55 and over).

The French had to adapt

Among the French who plan to celebrate Christmas and / or New Year's Eve, 67% say that the current COVID-19 crisis has changed their plans. In what way? The drop in the number of guests comes first (69%) followed by the lack of family travel (40%), respect for barrier gestures (58%) and the decrease in the budget (27%).

In this difficult context, 61% of French people who plan to celebrate Christmas say they will be more attentive to promotions than last year, a figure which climbs to 70% among CSP-.

Christmas presents

92% of French people who will celebrate Christmas this year intend to give gifts to their loved ones.

To make their purchases, they mainly turn to e-commerce sites (60%). We also note that 37% want to go to shopping centers, 34% to hypermarkets / supermarkets and 33% plan to use convenience stores and specialty stores.

What budget for gifts?

 

Holiday projects

Nearly 1 in 5 French people had planned to go on vacation for the end of year celebrations (19%). In more detail, 8% had planned a vacation and say they are still relevant, and 11% say they had to cancel them.

Among those who had to cancel their plans, 17% had to go skiing, 31% to family, 21% abroad and 12% to friends.

(YouGov)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://fr.yougov.com/news/2020/12/14/les-francais-feteront-ils-noel-cette-annee/

668-43-07/Poll

The Chinese electronics brand Xiaomi is becoming better known, but hardly in demand

Xiaomi is expanding its presence in Germany - including through cooperation with MediaMarkt and Saturn. More consumers are buying the brand, but the big leap has not yet taken place.

Admittedly, we didn't lean too far out of the window  when we predicted a year ago that Xiaomi will gain much popularity in Germany in 2020 . The size of the increase is impressive despite the predictability of the trend: A year ago, 22 percent of Germans were familiar with Xiaomi, today 37 percent have already heard of the brand. This is all the more impressive given the fact that, due to the pandemic, physical presence with shops may have played a lesser role. However, other dimensions from the  BrandIndex, the YouGov brand monitor, indicate that Xiaomi still has some persuasive work to do.

For more consumers than before, the brand stands for a positive price-performance ratio and more people generally have a positive impression of it. We are also seeing increasing numbers for buying interest, and the proportion of consumers who recently actually bought a Xiaomi product has almost doubled from four percent to six percent within a year. But that seems to be due solely to the increasing awareness and availability of the brand. Because if we do not consider the same dimensions for the general population, but only evaluate information from people who know the brand, then the values ​​stagnate: A year ago around 25 percent of those familiar with the brand could imagine buying a Xiaomi product, today the value is a few percentage points lower. 

 

With increasing awareness, these values ​​threaten to fall further if Xiaomi cannot convince newly won brand connoisseurs at the same time of the advantages of the brand. The value could therefore develop in the direction of  HTC  (13 percent buying interest among brand connoisseurs) or in the direction of the  Samsung  Galaxy (36 percent).

 

An expansion of the cooperation with MediaMarkt and Saturn should help. Where previously Xiaomi smartphones were mainly to be found, in the future smart home components, gaming products and household appliances such as hotplates and air purifiers will also win customers for the brand. Xperion, a shop-in-shop concept presented by Saturn in Cologne, offers a first impression of this  . From there, Xiaomi areas are to expand to all 423 MediaMarktSaturn stores   in  Germany  .

 

Our YouGov Profiles tool shows where the target groups of Saturn and Xiaomi overlap  . Men with an above-average income are particularly interested in both brands. There is a noticeable difference in the age structure: Saturn customers are slightly older than Xiaomi customers or consumers for whom Xiaomi is an option.

 

Those who buy from Saturn show a comparatively high level of buying interest in Xiaomi. After all, ten percent of Saturn customers can imagine buying a Xiaomi device, five percent already have one. Samsung ,  Apple  and  Huawei  are, like the general population, much more popular smartphone brands among Saturn's customers.

 

REACH THE TARGET GROUP WITH PODCASTS

If Xiaomi wants to convince more consumers in Germany, YouGov Profiles gives tips on how this can best be achieved. According to the younger age structure, seven percent of Xiaomi buyers and prospective buyers state that they are receptive to advertising in podcasts. In the general population, this value is only three percent. Potential Xiaomi customers are also becoming more aware of advertising on video platforms. This also applies to other digital advertising channels. So far, Xiaomi has only reached 17 percent of brand connoisseurs with advertising. On the  other hand, more than one in five connoisseurs of this brand can remember recently noticed advertisements for  Huawei .

If we are to venture a forecast for the next year, Xiaomi's fame can only continue to rise steeply. It is possible that in a year the brand will be better known in Germany than HTC, for example. A wider product portfolio should also ensure that more people buy Xiaomi devices. But how strong this growth will be depends more and more on other dimensions in the BrandIndex: values ​​such as quality, customer satisfaction and willingness to recommend are becoming more relevant for the brand's growth in Germany.

(YouGov)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://yougov.de/news/2020/12/14/xiaomi-wird-bekannter-aber-kaum-begehrter/

668-43-08/Poll

Christmas gifts with Covid-19: useful gifts and conscious shopping

Every Christmas, it's the same story: Italians improvise themselves as actors to pretend to appreciate useless gifts. L ' 83% of respondents, including especially women, pretended at least once received the gift he liked the 54% instead recycled at least one gift . Until you get to extreme solutions, ie, the 26% has thrown a gift found under the Christmas tree and the 21% has the resold . This year the purchase of gifts will take place in a conscious way, paying attention to price (for 57% of respondents), usefulness of the gift (52%),specific wishes and needs of the recipients of this .

What would the Italians like to receive?

Not only books and electronic products, 12% of the Italians interviewed would also like to receive home furnishings : practical and innovative gifts that certainly do not risk falling into oblivion. L ' 11% of Italians want the products to DIY , to also cultivate the passions emerged during the lockdown last spring, when the articles of this sector recorded a strong increase in sales. In winter, however, it is more difficult to devote to gardening, another emerging trend in 2020, but 4% of respondents admit that they can appreciate garden products .

When and how will they buy the gifts?

This year, no one wants to arrive unprepared for Christmas. Only 2% of the interviewees will find themselves on Christmas Eve with the list of gifts still to be completed : a percentage down compared to 2019. In general, in fact, Italians plan to play in advance, also to avoid the crowds in physical stores that, until last year, it characterized shopping on Christmas Eve: 34% of Italians plan to make their purchases two or three weeks before Christmas , 29% between late November and early December .

7 out of 10 Italians will make purchases through e-commerce and 34% of these will choose it as the main channel, also to avoid having to go to physical stores in the delicate moment of health emergency in which we find ourselves. Italians prefer to choose Christmas gifts comfortably seated on the sofa at home, armed with smartphones or computers, taking advantage of the vast offer of e-commerce, among which ManoMano.it stands out. 

(YouGov)

December 10, 2020

Source: https://it.yougov.com/news/2020/12/10/regali-di-natale-con-covid-19-regali-utili-e-shopp/

668-43-09/Poll

One in three people exposed to COVID-19 anti-vax messages

A new survey by Ipsos MORI and King's College London Policy Institute shows that one in three people in the UK (34%) say they have seen or heard messages discouraging the public from getting a coronavirus vaccine.

One in three people in the UK (34%) say they’ve seen or heard messages discouraging the public from getting a coronavirus vaccine, and anti-vax voices are using social media to amplify their messages, a new study has found.

The research, by King’s College London and Ipsos MORI, also reveals that a notable minority believe conspiracy theories about a COVID-19 vaccine – with belief especially high among younger people and those who get a lot of information on the pandemic from social media platforms.

And while relatively few believe conspiracies about the direct health impacts of a vaccine, worryingly large proportions of the population say they’re unsure if they’re true or false.

The findings are based on 2,244 interviews with UK residents aged 16 to 75, carried out online between 20 and 24 November.

COVID-19 anti-vax messages

While a third of the country report being exposed to anti-vax messages about a coronavirus vaccine, this rises to nearly half (46%) among those aged 16 to 34.

Facebook is by far the top source of such messages, with one in five Britons (20%) saying they’ve seen this kind of content on the social network.

Ipsos MORI / Kings Policy Institute Survey - COVID-19 Vaccines and Social Media December 2020Ipsos MORI / Kings Policy Institute Survey - COVID-19 Vaccines and Social Media December 2020

This compares with around one in 20 (6%) who say they’ve seen similar content on Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

Overall, a quarter of the population (26%) say they’ve seen or heard COVID-19 anti-vax messages on social media. Those who have been to exposed to such posts online are most likely to say they originated from someone they know, with around one in nine people (11%) saying they were shared by a friend or family member.

COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies

The UK public are much more likely to think various conspiracy theories about a coronavirus vaccine are false than true – but a notable minority say they believe them, and social media users and younger people are particularly inclined to think such claims are true.

For example, one in seven (14%) believe the real purpose of a mass vaccination programme against coronavirus is simply to track and control the population. This rises to a quarter (27%) of 16- to 24-year-olds.

People who get a great deal or fair amount of information on COVID-19 from WhatsApp (42%) and YouTube (39%) are around three times as likely to believe this. Those who use Twitter (29%) and Facebook (28%) in this way are also more likely to think it is true.

The same pattern is seen in belief in a range of conspiracies:

And while those who believe particularly damaging conspiracy theories about the health impacts of a COVID-19 vaccine make up a smaller minority, there is still a high degree of uncertainty about these extreme claims:

Social media regulation to tackle anti-vax messages

There is a high level of support for at least some kind of active response from social media platforms or regulation from government to combat the sharing of anti-vax content.

Two-thirds (67%) of the public are in favour of such platforms making it easier to find and read scientific evidence on vaccines, such as articles by experts and scientists. The same proportion support financial penalties for companies who fail to remove false information about vaccines.

Smaller majorities support platforms removing posts on vaccines that contradict scientific evidence (55%) or adding warnings to them (54%).

Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, said:

One in three people say they’ve seen or heard messages discouraging people from getting vaccinated against COVID-19, with social media being the prime source. And it’s clear that some harmful views have taken hold among a minority of the public. They range from concerns about whether the UK government will ensure the safety of the coronavirus vaccine, to particularly extreme conspiracy theories, such as that the real purpose of the vaccination effort is to track and control the population – which is believed by one in seven, and greater proportions of young people and social media users.
Working with social media platforms to control the spread of misinformation is therefore an important action – but the main focus should not be on this niche belief in extreme conspiracies. People who believe in these theories still form a small minority, and many of them will be very difficult to convince. Instead, we need to focus on the much larger sections of the public who say they’re unsure about the truth of some of the medical implications of vaccination – such as the 42% who say they don’t know if it may cause autism in children and the 48% who are unsure whether it might cause infertility. As we start on the very long process of vaccinating as much of the population as possible, addressing this uncertainty through transparent, consistent and inventive public health communication will be essential.

Kelly Beaver, managing director of Public Affairs, Ipsos MORI, said:

The proliferation of anti-vax material that is being seen by people on social media – particularly young people – and its impact on their views is incredibly concerning in the week where we’ve seen the UK vaccinate the first person outside of a trial in the world. The public are obviously concerned about this, as we see in their high levels of support for regulation of social media platforms, including fines for companies who fail to remove false information. Vaccines have been one of the greatest medical interventions over the last two centuries. We cannot afford to take a backwards step.

(Ipsos MORI)

December 13, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/one-three-people-exposed-covid-19-anti-vax-messages

668-43-10/Poll

What makes people donate to charity?

Britons are more likely to give to charity if asked in person – by someone such as a friend or a fundraiser – than if prompted by an advert or email 

Many charities are struggling to stay afloat as a result of the pandemic, with a new study suggesting that approaching half could run out of cash in the next year.  

YouGov Profiles data shows that a third (33%) of Britons who have donated to charity did it without being prompted. However, the research also shows that people respond to many different prompts to give money to good causes. One in nine (11%) say that the last time they donated it was because a friend or family member asked them to. Similarly, another 6% say they were approached by a colleague.  

 

One in eleven (9%) who have given say their last donation was prompted by a fundraiser approaching them in public, while one in twenty (5%) contributed to a bucket or box collection.  

Adverts (3%), emails asking for donations (2%) and international appeals (2%) appear to have less impact than being approached in-person. 

Younger people, who the research shows are less likely to donate, tend to be more easily swayed by someone they know than by a stranger. One in seven (15%) of those aged 18- to 34 who have donated at some point were prompted by a family member or friend the last time they did so. In contrast, this is true of only 8% of people aged 55 and over. 

Generally, Britons are most likely to support causes to do with illness. The top three charities that most people say represent a cause they believe in are Cancer Research UK (59%), Macmillan Cancer Support (58%) and the British Heart Foundation (50%). These are the same three that topped YouGov’s most recent annual charity rankings

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (46%) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (45%) also rank highly.  

(YouGov)

December 10, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2020/12/10/what-makes-people-donate-charity

668-43-11/Poll

3 in 10 Brits do not plan to travel domestically or internationally in the next year

Despite coronavirus-related curbs existing around the globe, Brits are the most likely nationality in the world – alongside Singaporeans to say travel restrictions are preventing them from travelling right now, new research from YouGov reveals. 
The data collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, and almost 17,000 people, shows that two thirds (67%) of British people say that the current regulations are preventing them from travelling. This compares to 58% who say that health concerns are doing the same.

In most markets around the world, these factors are ranked the other way around, with health concerns outweighing restrictions as a reason not to travel.
Despite the current restrictions tying would-be travellers down, many Brits are looking forward to travelling in the coming year. While three in ten (30%) are planning to travel abroad over the next 12 months, far more (43%) are planning a domestic holiday. However, YouGov’s data shows that a significant number (29%) do not plan to travel at all in the next year.
The data comes from Global Travel Profiles, a new research tool which tracks global consumer sentiment and attitudes every day across the largest travel and tourism markets. It is created so that those in the tourism industry can analyse how to best target their audiences for growth – identifying who is ready to travel when, and what kind of travel they are planning.

Fully customisable by geography, subscribers can discover emerging trends on intended travel habits and behaviours for the forthcoming 12 months. It provides a holistic view of the travel market, including granular consumer insights on preferred locations, booking methods, accommodation and transportation preferences.

YouGov Global Travel Profiles is connected to YouGov’s market-leading depth and breadth of consumer data meaning it provides a much wider dataset than just isolated travel attitudes. It is an extension to YouGov’s connected data solutions and is complementary to YouGov DestinationIndex.

(YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Source:  https://yougov.co.uk/topics/travel/articles-reports/2020/12/09/3-10-brits-do-not-plan-travel-poll

668-43-12/Poll

Britons most likely to say COVID has taken a toll on their mental health

A new international YouGov study looks at attitudes to mental health in different countries

The results of a new international YouGov survey, conducted among more than 21,000 people in 16 countries and regions, shows that the coronavirus crisis has taken the heaviest toll on mental health in the UK.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of Britons say that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the state of their mental health, including 10% who say it has had a “very negative” impact.

Hong Kongers are the second most likely to report a deterioration in their mental health, at 63%, followed by Italians on 62%.

In the USA 56% of people say the state of their mental health has taken a hit.

There is only one place in which fewer than half of people say their mental health has been suffering: Germany, at ‘just’ 44%.

How prevalent are mental health problems like depression and anxiety across the world?

The survey also looked more broadly at mental health problems across the world.

Australians are the most likely to say they suffer from a mental health condition, at 35%. Almost a quarter of Australians (23%) say they have depression, while an identical 23% suffer from an anxiety disorder (there will be overlap, with some experiencing more than one issue). Another 9% suffer from some other condition.

These are the highest rates for anxiety disorder and depression reported across the study, although the anxiety figure is tied with the US and Indonesia.

In the USA, 21% say they have depression and 23% anxiety, with one in three (34%) saying they suffer from at least one affliction – the second highest rate in the study.

In Britain, 20% report having anxiety and an identical 20% depression, with 30% overall saying they have at least one mental health problem.

People in Hong Kong, Denmark and Singapore are the least likely to report having mental health problems, with 17% saying they live with at least one condition.

How seriously do people take mental health problems in different countries?

A core concept that mental health campaigners are trying to achieve is ‘parity of esteem’ – that is to say, that mental health issues are taken as seriously as physical health problems.

Britons are the most likely to have accepted that this is the case, with more than three quarters (77%) saying they consider both to be equally serious. One in eight Britons (12%) say that physical health problems are more serious, while a further 7% consider mental health problems to be worse.

Parity of esteem is next highest in Australia (71%) and Denmark (70%). The US comes fourth, on 69%.

It is lowest in the UAE, at 48%.

(YouGov)

December 12, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/international/articles-reports/2020/12/10/britons-most-likely-say-covid-has-taken-toll-their

 

NORTH AMERICA

668-43-13/Poll

More Americans Practicing Strict Social Distancing

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in the U.S., a growing percentage of Americans are practicing strict social distancing. Half of Americans now say they are completely (16%) or mostly (34%) isolating themselves from people outside their household. The combined 50% is up from 38% in the previous poll and the highest it has been since May.

Yet, the latest reading is well below the peak in social distancing that came in late March and early April -- three-quarters of Americans were completely or mostly isolating themselves when many states had issued stay-at-home orders.

Line graph. Half of Americans say they have completely or mostly isolated themselves from people outside their household in the past 24 hours, an increase from 38% last month. The percentage had been below 50% since May 24; with last month's 38% the low reading since then.

The latest figures are from a Nov. 16-29 web survey of more than 2,900 members of Gallup's probability-based panel. The poll also found the percentage of Americans saying the coronavirus situation in the U.S. is getting worse, and the percentage expressing concern about personally getting the virus, at highs.

Compared with the prior survey, conducted Oct. 19-Nov. 1, reports of stricter social isolation are higher among all key subgroups. The increases are proportionately larger among women, Democrats and Northeastern residents. Men and political independents show some of the smallest increases in social distancing.

Democrats (66%), college graduates (59%), and those who are not working (58%) are the groups most likely to say they are completely or mostly isolating themselves from others. Republicans (32%) continue to be least likely to say this.

Changes in Reports of Strict Social Distancing

Figures are the percentage who say they are "completely" or "mostly isolating" themselves from people outside their household

Oct 19-Nov 1

Nov 16-29

Change

%

%

pct. pts.

U.S. adults

38

50

+12

Men

38

42

+4

Women

38

57

+19

18-44 years old

40

52

+12

45-64 years old

34

46

+12

65+ years old

39

52

+13

White adults

37

49

+12

Non-White adults

39

50

+11

Democrats

48

66

+18

Independents

41

45

+4

Republicans

20

32

+12

College graduates

45

59

+14

Not college graduates

33

46

+13

Employed

33

44

+11

Not employed

44

58

+14

Northeast

34

51

+17

Midwest

37

46

+9

South

39

50

+11

West

40

53

+13

GALLUP PANEL, 2020

Increased Majority Avoiding Public Places

At the same time that more Americans report greater social distancing, there has been a modest uptick in the percentage who say they have avoided going to public places, from 53% to 59%. While the percentage who are avoiding small gatherings, 50%, is up slightly from 47% in the late October survey, the change is not statistically meaningful. The survey's field period overlapped the Thanksgiving holiday, before which public health officials were urging Americans to keep their celebrations limited. While travel during the holiday week was well below last year, it was also the highest it had been since the pandemic began.

Three-quarters of Americans -- unchanged from last month -- continue to say they are avoiding large crowds.

All three behaviors are less common now than they were earlier in the pandemic, particularly during the initial surge in cases in March and April, but no more common than during the summer months.

Line graph. More Americans than in the prior survey are avoiding public places, but the percentage doing so remains lower than it was earlier in this year, including 79% in late March and early April. Fewer Americans today than in the spring are avoiding large crowds and small gatherings.

Restaurant Visits Down

Asked about specific places they have visited in the past 24 hours, 22% of U.S. adults said they visited a restaurant. This is down from 28% in the October survey. There was a similar decline in the percentage who reported dining in at a restaurant, dropping from 18% to 13% of U.S. adults. Many states have imposed restrictions on dining in at restaurants as a way to deal with the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The 18% who said they had dined in at a restaurant in the prior survey was the high point in the trend.

CV3a

Line graph. Twenty-two percent of Americans said they visited a restaurant in the past 24 hours, down from 28% in late October. Thirteen percent said they dined in at a restaurant, down from 18%. Both figures are the lowest since late July, but still above what they were in May.

Reported visits to other public places have shown slight, but not statistically meaningful, declines, or have not changed in the past month.

Slight Declines in Visits to Places Outside of the Home in Past Month

In the past 24 hours have you visited any of the following places?

Oct 19-Nov 1

Nov 16-29

Change

%

%

pct. pts.

Restaurant

28

22

-6

Doctor's office, hospital or treatment center

14

10

-4

Salon or barbershop

7

3

-4

Grocery store

53

50

-3

Pharmacy

19

16

-3

Gym

6

3

-3

Your place of work

37

35

-2

Place of worship

11

9

-2

Someone else's home or apartment

21

20

-1

Other store

26

26

0

Public transportation

2

2

0

Travel

2

3

+1

Items sorted on basis of change since October

GALLUP PANEL, 2020

Grocery stores remain the place outside the home Americans are most likely to visit, followed by their place of work. About one in five report visiting someone else's home or apartment. The Thanksgiving holiday may account for the lack of a decline from October in visits to other people's homes, as well as in travel, with desire to see family and friends on Thanksgiving offsetting Americans' growing belief that the COVID-19 situation is getting worse and their greater concern about catching the virus.

Bottom Line

The rise in COVID-19 cases has caused more Americans than in late October to socially isolate themselves from others. However, the degree of social isolation is still far below what it was during the initial phases of the pandemic. This could partly be explained by there being fewer formal state lockdowns than was the case in the spring.

It may also be that Americans have greater knowledge about how they can protect themselves when they do go out, and are following the advice of infectious disease experts who have learned more about the disease and how to prevent its spread. The poll finds more than nine in 10 Americans (91%) continue to report they wear masks when outside the home.

Still, many public health officials believe small gatherings can contribute to the spread of the coronavirus. In these situations, people may be less inclined to take measures to protect themselves from getting the virus. With cases rising to never-before-seen levels after Thanksgiving, the Christmas holiday will further test Americans' ability to keep themselves safe and limit the spread of the virus.

(Gallup USA)

December 11, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327596/americans-practicing-strict-social-distancing.aspx

668-43-14/Poll

Mask Use Far Less Common at Private Gatherings Than in Public

As COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide and health officials attribute the uptick at least in part to small family get-togethers and other private social gatherings, new data from the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study show that Americans are much less likely to wear a mask when indoors with non-household members than they are to wear one inside stores and other businesses.

Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults say they "always" or "usually" wear a mask when indoors with family and friends from outside their household, while 89% say they do so in public settings.

Custom graphic. 56% of Americans always or usually wear a mask when indoors with non-household members. By contrast, 89% of Americans always or usually wear a mask when inside stores or other businesses.

These results are based on 5,026 web-based surveys completed Nov. 1-6. This study is conducted via an opt-in web panel. The sample has been adjusted statistically to ensure it represents key subgroups of the U.S. adult population in their proper proportions.

Masks a Key Source of Confidence in the Ability to Avoid Infection

Previous analyses from the Franklin Templeton-Gallup research have established a strong link between Americans' confidence that they can protect themselves from COVID-19 infection in public and their likelihood to engage in "public consumption" behaviors like dining in restaurants and staying in hotels.

The data further indicate that mask-wearing is a primary source of such confidence. In the most recent survey, those who said they are confident in their ability to protect themselves in public were asked about possible reasons why. By far, the most common response -- given by 71% -- is that they wear a mask in public. The next most common responses, each given by about half of those who express confidence, is that other people wear masks in public (51%) and other people maintain social distance from each other (49%).

Custom graphic. 71% of Americans say they are confident they can protect themselves from COVID-19 infection in public because they wear a mask while in public. 51% believe they can protect themselves from infection because other people wear masks when in public.

However, the familiarity of small, private gatherings with family and friends may imbue many people with an undue sense that they can protect themselves without adhering to the same precautions they would observe in public. On Dec. 4, after the current survey was completed, the CDC issued new guidelines that further emphasized the importance of masks -- including in homes under certain circumstances, such as when non-household members are in the home. It's possible that mask use at home has risen somewhat since the survey as a result of that guidance.

The November survey also found substantial differences between mask use in stores/businesses and private gatherings across demographic groups. While there is less variation in rates of mask use in public, some groups are much more likely than others to say they usually or always wear a mask when indoors with family or friends from outside their household. Democrats are more likely than Republicans and independents to respond this way. Notably, though Americans aged 55 and older are most likely to say they always or usually wear a mask in stores and other businesses, they are least likely to say they do so when indoors with family or friends from outside their household.

Custom graphic. 47% of Republicans always or usually wear a mask when indoors with non-household members, compared with 65% of Democrats. Older Americans, those aged 55 and older, are the least likely to wear a mask when indoors with non-household members, at 51%.

Implications

With Hanukkah underway and Christmas rapidly approaching, the risk of COVID-19 transmission in small gatherings with family and friends from outside one's household is more salient than ever. Understandably, many Americans appear to be less comfortable with wearing a mask in such circumstances than they are in public places. However, their willingness to take such precautions may significantly influence the severity of the pandemic in early 2021.

(Gallup USA)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327533/mask-far-less-common-private-gatherings-public.aspx

668-43-15/Poll

Americans' Satisfaction With Health Costs at New High

As 2020 comes to a close, Americans' assessments of their healthcare are generally elevated, including record levels rating their healthcare coverage positively and feeling satisfied with their healthcare costs. A record-low percentage say their healthcare costs went up this year. Relatedly, the lowest percentage Gallup has measured in over a decade say they put off medical care this year specifically because of the cost they would have to pay.

Meanwhile, Americans' views of U.S. healthcare in general are largely unchanged, as the slight majority continue to rate its quality positively. Nearly four in 10 say the same of U.S. healthcare coverage. Even fewer are satisfied with the costs of healthcare in the country, but the 30% who are satisfied is the highest in Gallup's trend since 1993.

Americans' Positivity About Own Healthcare Costs Highest in 20 Years

The majority of Americans have consistently been satisfied with the total cost they pay for healthcare since Gallup first asked the question in 2001. But the 67% expressing satisfaction this year is the highest measured to date and up six percentage points from last year.

Line graph. A new high of 67% of U.S. adults are satisfied with the total cost they pay for healthcare. That is up from 61% a year ago and 58% in 2018. The prior high was 64% in 2001, and the low is 54% in 2006.

Compared with last year, younger adults -- those under age 50 -- are much more likely to be satisfied with their healthcare costs (66% today versus 53%). Older adults are typically more satisfied with their costs, but there has been no change in their satisfaction this year (69%) versus last (70%).

Increased satisfaction is also more apparent among those with private health insurance plans (63%, up from 55%). Americans who have no insurance or government insurance plans show smaller but not statistically meaningful increases.

The vast majority of those who have a private health insurance plan, 89%, report they pay all or part of the total cost of the plan. Of these, 55% report the amount they pay for their family's health insurance has gone up in the past year, while 36% say it has not changed and 8% gone down. The 55% paying more is 11 points lower than Gallup has measured in any prior survey, with the prior lows occurring in the previous two most recent measures, in 2017 and 2018.

Line graph. Fifty-five percent of adults with private insurance plans who pay at least part of their premiums say their healthcare costs have gone up in the past year, the lowest measured to date. As recently as 2015, 74% said their costs had gone up.

Fewer Americans Delaying Medical Treatment Because of Cost

Gallup has also tracked Americans' reports of delaying medical treatment because of the cost since 2001. Twenty-six percent say they or a member of their family has put off treatment, down seven points since last year and the lowest Gallup has measured since 2004. Before that year, no more than one in four had ever reported delaying care because of cost.

Line graph. 26% of Americans say they put off medical treatment in the past year because of the cost. That is the lowest since 2004, and down from the high point of 33% a year ago.

As would be expected, the decline in the percentage putting off medical treatment is most apparent among lower-income Americans, who are generally most likely to do so. This year, 33% of those living in households with annual incomes of less than $40,000 put off medical treatment, down from 43% last year. Meanwhile, 28% of those with annual household incomes of $40,000 to $99,999 delayed treatment (down from 33% in 2019), as did 17% of those in upper-income households (down from 21%).

As has typically been the case, especially in recent years, more U.S. adults said they put off treatment for a serious medical condition (17%) than one that was not serious (9%).

Ratings of Americans' Healthcare Coverage, Quality Among the Best to Date

Americans have generally been quite positive about their healthcare coverage and quality, and their assessments of these aspects of their healthcare have not varied much in the 20 years that Gallup has measured them.

Still, the 74% who rate their healthcare coverage as excellent or good this year is the highest measured to date, albeit only two points higher than the previous high. The 82% who say their healthcare quality is excellent or good is one point below the trend's high point measured in 2007 and 2008. Both ratings edged up three points from last year.

Line graph. 82% of Americans today rate the quality of healthcare they receive as excellent or good. Since 2001, the percentage giving these ratings has ranged from 76% in 2015 and 2016 to 83% in 2007 and 2008. This year, 74% rate their healthcare coverage as excellent or good, the highest measured to date. The low point was 63% in 2005, and the previous high was 72% in 2011.

Quality and coverage ratings are highest among those aged 65 and over, most of whom are on Medicare, and upper-income Americans.

Satisfaction With U.S. Healthcare Costs Also at New High

Americans are much more critical of healthcare costs in the U.S. than they are of their own costs. Still, this year a new high of 30% are satisfied with the cost of healthcare in the U.S., while 69% are dissatisfied.

Satisfaction with U.S. healthcare is up from 26% in 2019 and 20% in 2018. The prior high was 28% in 2001, while the low point was the 8% measured in the early part of Bill Clinton's administration in 1993.

Line graph. Thirty percent of Americans are satisfied with the total cost of healthcare in the U.S., the highest to date.

The increase in satisfaction this year is driven primarily by Republicans (including Republican-leaning independents), among whom 44% are satisfied, up from 26% two years ago. Currently, 16% of Democrats and Democratic leaners are satisfied, little changed over that time span.

Satisfaction with U.S. healthcare costs has become tied more to the party of the president since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, particularly after the healthcare exchanges opened in 2013. At that point, Democrats' satisfaction increased and Republicans' decreased. A notable party gap lasted throughout the remainder of President Barack Obama's term, and it flipped once President Donald Trump took office.

Republicans were consistently more likely than Democrats to be satisfied with healthcare costs throughout the George W. Bush administration and in the early years of the Obama presidency.

Line graph. Satisfaction with the total cost of healthcare in the U.S. among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents and Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents since 2001. Currently, a record-high 44% of Republicans, as well as 16% of Democrats, are satisfied.

Republicans (74%) are also more likely than Democrats (62%) to say they are satisfied with their own healthcare costs.

Americans Rate Quality and Coverage of U.S. Healthcare Lower Than Their Own

Just as U.S. adults are more satisfied with the cost of their own healthcare than they are with healthcare costs in the U.S. more generally, so too are they more likely to rate the quality and coverage of their own healthcare than that of the U.S. positively. Americans' rating of the quality of U.S. healthcare as excellent or good is 28 points lower than their rating of their own, and their view of coverage in the U.S. is 36 points lower than their own.

The 54% who say the quality of healthcare in the U.S. is excellent or good is consistent with recent readings and well below the 62% high last seen in 2012. The 38% rating U.S. coverage positively marks a slight improvement from recent years and is close to the 2012 record high of 41%.

Line graph. Americans' ratings of the quality and coverage of healthcare in the U.S. since 2001. Currently, 54% of Americans say the quality is excellent or good, and 38% say the same of coverage.

Older Americans, those with annual household incomes of $100,000 or more, and Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than their counterparts to rate the quality and coverage of healthcare in the U.S. as excellent or good.

Bottom Line

Americans' views of their own healthcare are largely positive, including the cost, quality and coverage they receive. Fewer than in the recent past say they have put off medical treatment this year because of cost, and they are less likely than at any point in the past 20 years to say the amount they pay for healthcare has gone up this year. The coronavirus situation may be a contributing factor, perhaps because people are seeking less medical treatment than in the past, and are therefore paying less.

(Gallup USA)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327686/americans-satisfaction-health-costs-new-high.aspx

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Social media continue to be important political outlets for Black Americans

Social media platforms have served as venues for political engagement and social activism for many years, especially for Black Americans. This was evident again in 2020, when the killing of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by a White Minneapolis police officer resulted in widespread protests that demonstrated the reach and power of these platforms.

Across Pew Research Center surveys, Black social media users have been particularly likely to say that these sites are personally important to them for getting involved with issues they care about or finding like-minded people. They are also likely to express positive views about the impact of these platforms for holding powerful people accountable for their actions and giving a voice to underrepresented groups. The online community known as Black Twitter has long been using these platforms to collectively organize, offer support and increase visibility online for Black people and issues that matter to them.

How we did this

The impact of social media made itself felt after instances like the killing of Eric Garner at the hands of New York City police in 2014 and the death of Freddie Gray after he sustained spinal injuries in the back of a Baltimore police van in 2015. Researchers from the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) have found that supporters of the activism movement used Twitter, specifically, to share breaking news, circulate images and engage with news stories about corresponding protests.

Analysis by the Center of publicly available tweets, from both 2016 and 2018, supports the idea that although race-related hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter are consistent on platforms like Twitter, spikes in the use of these hashtags often correspond with current events.

Black social media users are especially likely to use these sites for some forms of political activism

Though engaging in political behaviors and types of activism on these sites is not limited to any one group, Black social media users are often more likely than their counterparts from some other racial and ethnic backgrounds to engage in different types of political activities on social media and to believe these activities are more effective. Across four types of political activities asked about in a June 2020 survey, Black American social media users are among those most likely to use these platforms for activities related to causes and issues. 

Some Black social media users are especially likely to use these sites for some forms of political activism, though behavior varies by age

The types of online activism engaged in by Black social media users varies by age, with younger Black users being more likely to do these things than older Black users. But overall, 48% of Black social media users said they posted a picture to show their support for a cause on social media in the month prior to the survey fielded June 16-22, 2020, while a similar share said the same about encouraging others to take action on issues that are important to them or looking for information about rallies or protests happening in their area. One-third of Black users reported using a hashtag related to a political or social issue on social media in the previous month.

Across some of these activities, Black Americans who use social media were more likely to have engaged in these activism-related behaviors on these sites in the past month when compared with those from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. For instance, Black users (45%) were more likely to  encourage others to take action on issues that were important to them when compared with White (30%) and Hispanic users (33%). The same was generally true across different groups when it came to posting a photo to show support for a cause.

In other cases, Black and Hispanic social media users both stood out from White users in using social media to look for information about rallies or protests happening in their area. Black and Hispanic users (45% and 46% respectively) used the platforms for this purpose, compared with 29% of White social media users.

At the same time, the use of social media for these political activities varies by age among Black Americans. About eight-in-ten Black users age 18 to 49 (79%) say they had done at least one of these activities in the month prior to the survey, compared with six-in-ten of those who are 50 and older (59%).

Across each individual activity asked about in June, younger Black social media users were more likely than older ones to say they had done these. For instance, 44% of Black social media users ages 18 to 49 said they used a hashtag related to a political or social issue on these platforms in the previous month, compared with 13% of those 50 and older. There are similar gaps between younger and older Black social media users across the other three activities – encouraging others to take action on issues that are important to them (52% vs. 31%), posting a picture to show their support for a cause (55% vs. 36%) and looking for information about rallies or protests happening near them (51% vs. 34%).

Many Black social media users find these platforms personally important and effective for political activism and express positive sentiments toward the sites

Black and Hispanic social media users more likely than White users to say these sites are personally important to them for certain political activities

Substantial shares of Black social media users consider these sites at least somewhat personally important to them for purposes of finding others who share their views, getting involved with issues that are important to them and expressing their political opinions – and these figures have remained relatively consistent since the Center first asked these questions in a 2018 survey.

Their views also closely align with those of Hispanic users. For example, about half or more of Black and Hispanic adults who use social media say that these platforms are very or somewhat important to them for finding others who share their views and getting involved with political or social issues that are important to them, compared with about four-in-ten White users, according to June 2020 data. Similarly, about half of Black and Hispanic users say these sites are personally important to them when it comes to giving them a venue to express their political opinions, compared with smaller shares of White users (34%) who say the same.

Age is also a factor, with Black social media users age 18 to 49 being more likely to say social media are at least somewhat important to them for getting involved with issues that are important to them, compared with those 50 and older (65% vs. 51%).

Seven-in-ten Black social media users say these platforms are effective for changing people’s minds about political, social issues

Along with being among those most likely to engage in these online political activities and finding them personally important, majorities of Black Americans who use social media also say these sites are an effective tool for social and political advocacy, according to data from a July 2020 survey.

In most cases, Black, Hispanic and Asian American users stand out from White users in how effective they think social media are at achieving some social and political aims. About seven-in-ten Black, Hispanic and Asian users say social media are at least somewhat effective for changing people’s minds about political or social issues, compared with half of White users who say the same. These views generally hold true when influencing policy decisions and getting elected officials to pay attention to issues are considered. As to whether social media are seen as very or somewhat effective for creating sustained social movements, Black and Hispanic users (82% for both) are more likely to say this than White Americans (76%) who use these sites. Some 77% of Asian Americans who use social media say these sites are at least somewhat effective for this aim.

But online activism is only part of the story, as evidenced by the thousands of protesters who gathered offline in cities across the country this summer to protest anti-Black racism and to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Scholarly research has shown that online and offline activism are often integrated and are positively correlated. This research also suggests that in some cases participation in online activism can encourage offline protest by serving as a way to ease people into offline action and help them form their identity. Additionally, the author suggests that online and offline activities can be complementary over the course of a movement.

Research from the Center in 2016 also supports this analysis. That is, social media users who are highly politically engaged are more likely to do things online like follow candidates for office or other political figures or respond when someone posts something about politics that they disagree with when compared with users who have lower levels of political engagement.

Black social media users are among those more likely to say these sites highlight important issues, give voice to underrepresented groups

In addition to considering these platforms effective tools for social and political advocacy, majorities of Black social media users also agree with positive statements about social media on traits such as the sites’ ability to highlight important issues and give a voice to underrepresented groups.

Across these positive statements, Black, Hispanic and Asian users often have more similar views than White users. Around three-quarters of Black, Hispanic and Asian users say the statement “social media help give a voice to underrepresented groups” describes social media very or somewhat well, compared with a smaller share of White users (58%) who agree, according to July 2020 data.

Black, Hispanic and Asian users are less likely than White Americans to say “social media make people think they are making a difference when they really aren’t” describes these sites at least somewhat well – though majorities across all groups say this. Black and Hispanic Americans also stand out in being less likely to say that social media distract people from issues that are truly important when compared with slightly larger shares of White users who agree. Black social media users are also less likely than Asian American users to say these sites distract people from truly important issues.

What do the tweets tell us?

Though online conversations about racial injustice and race relations seem to peak along with race-related events in national news, a Center study from 2016 found that race-related posts on Twitter are always happening and span a variety of subjects, including social activism, pop culture and personal experiences.

Survey work by the Center in 2016 also found that Black social media users are more likely to see race-related content on these platforms. Black social media users were more likely than White users to say that most of what they see on these sites is about race or race relations (24% vs. 6%). Hispanic users fall in between these two groups, with 14% saying that most of what they see on these sites is related to race.

Still, current events do often bring these conversations to the forefront of public consciousness. From the period of July 2013 through May 2018, the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag was used nearly 30 million times – often increasing along with responses to real-world events – according to 2018 Center analysis of public tweets.

In May of this year, an analysis of tweets by the Center found that days after the killing of Floyd by police, nearly 8.8 million tweets contained the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. After that initial peak, the number of tweets containing the hashtag remained above 2 million uses per day through June 7.

Though the Center analysis of tweets does not include demographic information about who is tweeting, a study by the Knight Foundation on the relationship between Black Twitter (and other sub-communities on social media) and the media supports some of these findings by suggesting that participants in these online communities often use Twitter to circulate and raise awareness of issues before media organizations or journalists take interest. And even before Twitter and other well-known social media sites were established, Black-centric blogs were known for pressuring media organizations to cover topics that were otherwise going unnoticed.

Work from other researchers, like those from CMSI, suggests that social media benefit marginalized populations – by both leveling the playing field and allowing people from these groups to pursue social change. The report also suggests that today’s youth are particularly drawn toward “digitally-enabled and cause-based” activism.

(PEW)

December 11, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/12/11/social-media-continue-to-be-important-political-outlets-for-black-americans/

AUSTRALIA

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Over 16 million Australians entertained & amused online

New research from Roy Morgan shows 16.2 million Australians aged 14+ (77%) access entertainment and amusement services online in an average four weeks including watching videos, listening to music, playing games, uploading photos, downloading music, watching TV, streaming or downloading video clips, TV programs, games, feature length movies and more.

 

Watching videos online using sites such as YouTube is the most popular online entertainment and amusement activity done by over 13.2 million Australians (63%) in an average four weeks and is slightly more popular with men (65%) than women (61%).

Over 9 million Australians (43%) listen to music online in an average four weeks and this activity is also slightly more popular amongst men (44%) than women (42%).

In third place is participating and playing games online which is done by 7.9 million Australians (38%) and perhaps surprisingly women (40%) are more likely to be playing games online than men (36%).

Around a third of Australians, 6.7 million (32%), upload photos online to sites such as Facebook or Pinterest with women (35%) more likely to do so than men (28%).

Other entertainment and amusement activities undertaken online include downloading music (27% in an average four weeks), watching TV such as ABC iview (22%), streaming or downloading video clips (19%), streaming or downloading TV programs (18%), watching movies (17%), downloading audio/video podcasts (17%), streaming or downloading games (14%), streaming or downloading feature length movies (14%), viewing adult entertainment (13%), watching an event live such as a concert (11%), participating in gambling (8%) or uploading videos to sites like YouTube (7%).

Entertainment & Amusement services activities done online – September 2020

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, August – September 2020. n=11,034. Base: Australians 14+ 

Gen Z is the most likely generation to watch online videos

Nearly two-thirds of Australians (63%) watch videos online at sites such as YouTube, Dailymotion, Rumble and others in an average four weeks representing 13.2 million Australians aged 14+.

Unsurprisingly it is people in Gen Z, born between 1991-2006, and basically Australians aged under 30, who are the most likely to watch videos online with 75% doing so in an average four weeks – more than double the rate for the Pre-Boomers (37%) born before 1946.

The likelihood of watching videos online is strongly correlated to age with 68% of Millennials watching videos online, 59% of people in Gen X and 56% of Baby Boomers.

Australians watching online videos by Generation – Sept. 2020

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, August – September 2020. n=11,034. Base: Australians 14+ 

Although most online entertainment and amusement activities are correlated to age, with younger Australians more likely to partake in the activity than older Australians, there are exceptions including watching TV online and gambling online.

Around a quarter of Millennials (25%) watch TV such as ABC’s iview online in an average four weeks – higher than any other generation, and the generations most likely to gamble online in an average four weeks are Millennials (10%), Gen X (9%) and Baby Boomers (8%).

Michele Levine, CEO, Roy Morgan, says entertainment activities are a big part of the online experience and over 16.2 million Australians engage in at these activities at least once a month with watching videos, listening to music and playing games the favourites:

“Over 16.2 million Australians access online entertainment and amusement activities in an average four weeks and watching online videos on sites like YouTube and competitors such as Dailymotion, Rumble is the top entertainment activity undertaken by 13.2 million Australians.

“Gen Z, those born from 1991-2006 and largely representing Australia’s teenagers and twentysomethings is the most likely to be watching videos (75%) of any generation, and also the most likely to be listening to music (58%) and playing games (50%).

“This won’t come as a surprise as Gen Z are the first generation to grow up with powerful smartphones in hand from a young age that give access to the digital universe at a tap of a thumb, or even via instant facial recognition. In fact, the average smartphone available today is far more powerful than the average laptop computer that Millennials (born from 1976-1990) were using to do their schoolwork and go online in the early 2000s.

“This still gives Millennials, who are now largely in their 30s and early 40s and ensconced in the workforce, a leg up on older generations that came of age before technology was so ubiquitious. Millennials trail only Gen Z for the online activities they undertake with 68% watching videos, 48% listening to music and 36% playing games online in an average four weeks.

“Of course the digital world is increasingly accessible to Australians of all ages and this is evident when one considers that 78% of Gen X (born 1961-1975), 75% of Baby Boomers (1946-1960) and nearly half of Pre-Boomers (49%) born prior to 1946 and now aged 75+ engage in at least one entertainment activity online in an average four weeks.

“Roy Morgan’s Single Source survey conducted with over 50,000 Australians per year allows in-depth analysis of the media and entertainment choices Australians make and can be tracked and examined against a wide range of other consumer metrics including demographic and psychographic segmentations, sports participation and spectating and consumer purchasing and retail preferences both online and via traditional bricks and mortar stores.” 

(Roy Morgan)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8602-entertainment-activities-online-september-2020-202012140609

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

668-43-18/Poll

YouGov shows what travel plans people in the Nordics have for the coming year

In light of the ongoing corona pandemic, YouGov is investigating what the travel plans are for the coming year for people living in the Nordic countries.

Our data, collected by YouGov Global Travel Profiles in 25 countries, show that Finns are the people in Europe who are most likely to plan a holiday in their own country in the next 12 months (56%). Danes are most likely to plan an international trip (36%), closely followed by Norwegians (34%). Among the Nordic countries, Swedes are the ones who to the greatest extent state that they have no plans to travel at all during the next 12 months (23%).

YouGov's data shows that there are generally two obstacles that make people in the Nordic region refrain from traveling. While Finns and Swedes state that it is mainly health-related risks that make them refrain from traveling (63% and 62%, respectively), travel restrictions are the biggest obstacle for Norwegians and Danes (63% and 57%, respectively).

The information comes from YouGov Global Travel Profiles , which every day follows consumers' attitudes in 25 travel and tourist markets.

With Global Travel Profiles, the travel industry can discover new trends in travel habits and behaviors over the next 12 months. You can both analyze an individual country and compare different countries. At the same time, it provides an overall picture of the travel market, with, among other things, a detailed insight into which destinations, booking methods, forms of accommodation and means of transport consumers prefer.

(YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Source: https://yougov.se/news/2020/12/09/global-travel-profiles/

668-43-19/Poll

Taking Arabs’ Pulse on Normalization of Ties with Israel

On December 10, Morocco became the most recent country to initiate the normalization of relations with the State of Israel, following examples of the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan earlier in 2020.  These peace treaties have broken a long-standing impasse with Israel across the region and will change the direction of international relations within MENA.

While governments are actively engaging Israel, ordinary citizens have very low levels of support for these treaties.  In November 2020, Arab Barometer conducted nationally representative phone surveys across six Arab countries – Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia – to gauge attitudes about these agreements, commonly known as the Abraham Accords.  Overall, support is extremely low across the region.  In five of the six countries surveyed, fewer than one-in-ten citizens favor or strongly favor the respective peace treaties that Israel signed with the UAE and Bahrain, including just nine percent in Morocco and Algeria, eight percent in Tunisia, seven percent in Libya, and three percent in Jordan.

Lebanon is the main exception to this regional trend.  Although support remains low overall at 20 percent, it is significantly higher than elsewhere in the region.  In Lebanon, there is significant variation in attitudes toward the Abraham Accords by sect; half of Christians favor the accords compared with only 11 percent of Druze, six percent of Sunnis, and less than one percent of Shias.

Given the low support overall, there is little variation in most country by demographic characteristics.  However, there are some notable difference by age.  In Lebanon, those who are 30 years and older are substantially more likely to favor the accords than those who are ages 18-29 (26 percent vs. 7 percent).  This difference is likely linked to frustration by those who are older about the frozen nature of the conflict with Israel and the associated international costs, particularly at a time when Lebanon is going through a major economic and financial crisis.

Elsewhere, there is limited evidence that youth may be more open toward peace with Israel.  In Algeria, those ages 18-29 are eight points more likely to favor the Abraham Accords than those who are 30 and older.  In Tunisia, the difference is five points.

Results from the Arab Barometer 2018-9 survey conducted face-to-face in 12 countries makes clear that there is low support for closer ties with Israel.  When asked whether it is beneficial for the Arab region that some countries have started coordinating their foreign policies with Israel, a third or fewer say it is in all countries.  Support is highest in Sudan at 32 percent, but significantly lower elsewhere, including Egypt (23 percent), Lebanon (19 percent), Jordan, (14 percent), Morocco (13 percent), Algeria (12 percent), and Tunisia (9 percent).

Overall, these results suggest that Arab publics are not in line with the actions of some of their governments.  The new accord between Morocco and Israel is likely to be viewed similarly.  Arab publics remain strongly supportive of the Palestinian cause, meaning that without a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the vast majority are unlikely to support their countries making peace with Israel.

(Arab Barometer)

December 11, 2020

Source: https://www.arabbarometer.org/2020/12/taking-arabs-pulse-on-normalizing-ties-with-israel/