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BUSINESS
& POLITICS IN THE WORLD GLOBAL
OPINION REPORT NO. 829-833 Week: January 08 – February
11, 2024 Presentation: February 16,
2024 For
Many In China, The Economy Feels Like It Is In Recession Ipsos
India Showcases New Thinking On Generations – Busting Popular Myths About Gen
Z & Gen X Nearly
3 Out Of 4 Pakistanis (71%) Report Being Affected By Fog Or Smog In The
Previous Month Only
15% Of Israelis Want Netanyahu To Keep Job After Gaza War, Poll Finds Nigerians
Want The Government To Prioritize Security, Job Creation, And Electricity In
2024 Climate
Change A Priority In Sudan – Among Those Who Have Heard Of It In
Seychelles, Ensuring Children’s Welfare Remains A Challenge For The Poor Four
Years After Brexit, What Future Forms Of Relationship With The EU Would
Britons Support Most
Britons Support Yemen Strikes Compared
To 2012, Few Think Things Have Gotten Any Easier For The Next Generation Seven
In Ten Not Confident Conservatives Can Provide Strong And Stable Leadership Majority
Of Britons Continue To Be Unfavourable Towards Rishi Sunak A
Three-Way Tie Between Inflation, The NHS And The Economy As The Biggest
Issues Facing Britain Masculinity
And Women’s Equality: Study Finds Emerging Gender Divide In Young People’s
Attitudes The
Potential Of The First Crypto Funds In Germany Italian
Families And The Challenge Of Unexpected Inflation The
Quality Of Parent-Child Relationships In U.S. Families Biden's
Third-Year Job Approval Average Of 39.8% Second Worst Economic
Mood Improves, But Inflation Still Vexing Americans Few
Americans Know How Much Their Healthcare Costs U.S.
Centenarian Population Is Projected To Quadruple Over The Next 30 Years Around
4 In 10 Americans Have Become More Spiritual Over Time; Fewer Have Become
More Religious Most
Americans Say Elected Officials Should Avoid Heated Or Aggressive Speech By
A Wide Margin, Americans Say Football – Not Baseball – Is ‘America’s Sport’ Canadians
Fear For The Impacts Of Another Trump Term As U.S. Election 2024 Looms Half
Of Canadians Under 55 Fear Potential Job Loss, Majority Say They Have Little
Financial Cushion 79%
Of Australians Say They Still Engage In COVID Safe Behaviours Four Years On Economic
Outlook Gloomy Across Western Europe As 2024 Begins, A Study Across 7
European Nations Global
Study Issues Wake-Up Call For Women's Health, A Survey Conducted In 143
Nations INTRODUCTORY NOTE 829-833-43-41/Commentary: 8 Out Of 10
Pakistani Voters (80%) On The Election Day Agreed That Political Parties
Should Set Aside Their Differences After The Elections And Work Together
According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 8 out of 10 Pakistani voters (80%)
on the election day agreed that political parties should set aside their
differences after the elections and work together. A statistically selected
sample of male and female voters from across the country was asked the
question, “Some people think that all political parties should set aside
their differences after the elections and should work together. Do you agree
or disagree with this opinion?” In response 80% Agreed, 17% Disagreed, and 3%
said that they did not know or gave no response.
(Gallup Pakistan) 12 February 2024 Source:
https://gallup.com.pk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12.02.24.Daily-poll.pdf SUMMARY OF POLLS ASIA (China) For Many In China, The Economy Feels Like It Is
In Recession A crisis of confidence in
the economy is deterring consumers from spending and businesses from hiring
and investing, in what could become a self-feeding mechanism that erodes
China’s long-term economic potential. China grew 5.2% last year, more than
most major economies. But for the unemployed graduates, the property owners
who feel poorer as their flats are losing value, and the workers earning less
than the year before, the world’s second-largest economy feels like it’s
shrinking. (Asahi Shimbun) 18 January 2024
Ipsos India Showcases New
Thinking On Generations – Busting Popular Myths About Gen Z & Gen X Generation Z, those born
between 1997 to 2012 and Generation X (born between 1965 to 1980) have been
the fastest growing cohorts. Ipsos highlighted some of the misconceptions
around these two groups of dynamic people. When Gen X are represented in ads,
the depiction is stereotypical and it is in categories like health,
insurance etc. - portrayed as the ignorant, tech unsavvy folks, just as
provider who need to be educated either by their smarter kids or an expert.
Also shown as being at logger heads with Gen Z – having extreme and
traditional views. And the portrayal of one generation teaching the
other. A few brave attempts made to unstereotype this generation –
but definitely not enough. (Ipsos India) 04 February 2024 (Pakistan) Opinion Is Split Amongst
Pakistanis As An Equal Proportion (36% Each) Believe That The Number Of
People Casting Their Vote In The 2024 Elections Will Be More, Or Less Than
That In The 2018 Elections According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, opinion is split amongst
Pakistanis as an equal proportion (36% each) believe that the voter turnout
for the elections of 2024 will be more than or less than that of the
elections of 2018. A nationally representative sample of adult men and women
from across the country was asked the question, “Do you think more people
will cast their vote in the 2024 elections or less people will vote?” (Gallup Pakistan) 26 January 2024 6 Out Of 10 Pakistanis (57%)
Report Lesser Preparation And Excitement For The Upcoming Elections Of 2024
Compared To Those In 2018 According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 6 out of 10 Pakistanis (57%) are
of the opinion that there is lesser excitement and preparation for the
upcoming elections of 2024, then there was in the previous elections in 2018.
14% said ‘More preparation and excitement than last election’, 10% said ‘As
much preparation and excitement than last election’, and 19% said that they
did not know or gave no response. (Gallup Pakistan) 29 January 2024 Nearly 3 Out Of 4 Pakistanis
(71%) Report Being Affected By Fog Or Smog In The Previous Month According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, nearly 3 out of 4 Pakistanis (71%)
report being affected by fog or smog in the previous month. A nationally
representative sample of adult men and women from across the country was
asked the question, “Like the last few years, this time also different areas
of Pakistan had to face smog at the beginning of winter. Please let us know
whether your area was also affected by fog/smog during the last one month?” (Gallup Pakistan) 30 January 2024 8 Out Of 10 Pakistani Voters
(80%) On The Election Day Agreed That Political Parties Should Set Aside
Their Differences After The Elections And Work Together According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 8 out of 10 Pakistani voters (80%)
on the election day agreed that political parties should set aside their
differences after the elections and work together. A statistically selected
sample of male and female voters from across the country was asked the
question, “Some people think that all political parties should set aside
their differences after the elections and should work together. Do you agree
or disagree with this opinion?” (Gallup Pakistan) 12 February 2024 (Indonesia) Always On Your Gadget A report from We Are
Social 2023 said that the internet penetration in Indonesia, as a country
with the largest digital economic growth in Southeast Asia [1] has reached 77%, and 98.3% of people
access it using smartphones. According to International Data Corporation
(IDC), the Indonesian smartphone market in Q3 2023 even showed growth until
8.8% compared to the same period in the previous year. 87% of Gen Z &
Millennials think that brands are so important for them in choosing gadget to
buy. But most of them (89%) said that prestige is not the reason. (Snapcart) 02 February 2024 MENA (Israel) Only 15% Of Israelis Want
Netanyahu To Keep Job After Gaza War, Poll Finds The lack of support for
Netanyahu dovetailed with other polls published since the disastrous October
7 attacks, in which Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israel, killing
1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 240 people hostage. Only 15%
of Israelis want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay in office after
the war on Hamas in Gaza ends, though many more still support his strategy of
crushing the terrorists in the Palestinian enclave, according to a poll published on Tuesday. (The Times of Israel) 01 January 2024 AFRICA (Nigeria) Nigerians Want The Government
To Prioritize Security, Job Creation, And Electricity In 2024 A new public opinion poll
released by NOIPolls reveals the top three key and important areas Nigerians
want the government to focus on in the year 2024 and these include security
(52 percent), job creation (46 percent) and electricity (40 percent).
Other areas Nigerians want the government to focus on to solve the challenges
in the areas include price regulation (36 percent), reconsideration of
subsidy removal (30 percent), economy (20 percent), agricultural sector, and
education both tied at (19 percent), Infrastructure (11 percent), giving of
soft loans (7 percent) and upward review of the minimum wage (5 percent)
amongst other areas mentioned by adult Nigerians. (NOI Polls) 18 January 2024
Climate Change A Priority In
Sudan – Among Those Who Have Heard Of It The Notre Dame Global
Adaptation Initiative (2023) ranks Sudan among the 10 countries most vulnerable
to climate change worldwide (179th out of 185). This dispatch
reports on a special survey module included in the Afrobarometer Round 9
questionnaire to explore Sudanese experiences and perceptions of climate
change. More than half (51%) of Sudanese say flooding has become
more severe in their region over the past decade. About four in 10 citizens
(39%) say the same about droughts. (Afrobarometer) 15 January 2024
Tanzanians Commend COVID-19
Response But Call For More Investment In Preparing For Future Health
Emergencies Tanzania experienced its
first and most serious wave of COVID-19 from March to June 2020. The
government’s response to the pandemic included partial lockdowns of schools
and international borders and the banning of mass gatherings except for
worship. About one in 50 Tanzanians (2%) say a family member fell ill with
COVID-19 or tested positive for the virus. About one in seven (14%) say
someone in their household lost a job, business, or primary source of income
due to the pandemic. (Afrobarometer) 02 February 2024 (Seychelles) In Seychelles, Ensuring
Children’s Welfare Remains A Challenge For The Poor While half (50%) of
Seychellois say parents are “never” justified in using physical force to
discipline their children, about the same proportion (49%) endorse the
practice. Almost two-thirds (63%) of citizens say the use of physical force
to discipline children is not very common in their community. Three in 10
respondents (31%) say child abuse and neglect are frequent problems in their
community, while 58% disagree. Out-of-school children are seen as a common
occurrence by 44% of citizens. (Afrobarometer) 05 February 2024 WEST EUROPE (UK) Four Years After Brexit, What
Future Forms Of Relationship With The EU Would Britons Support Almost four years after
Brexit has happened, and with attitudes to exiting the EU having soured significantly, the future nature of our relationship
with the EU is still a key issue. So what scenarios would Britons support? We
put four to the public: rejoining the EU; joining the Single Market; the
status quo; and further loosening ties with the EU. The most favoured proves
to be the first on the list: rejoining the EU. Around half of Britons (51%)
say they would support overturning the 2016 referendum result, including 33%
who “strongly” support doing so, making it by far the most passionately supported
of the four options. (YouGov UK) 04 January 2024 Most Britons Support Yemen
Strikes New YouGov data now finds
that a majority of the public (53%) support the government’s decision to
conduct the strikes, compared to 22% who are opposed. Seven in ten of those
who voted Conservative in 2019 (72%) support the strikes, with 2019 Labour
voters backing them by the much reduced rate of 40% to 31%. Young Britons are
split 27% to 27% on the strikes (with fully 46% unsure) – support for the
attacks grows with each successive age group, reaching 74% among the
over-65s. (YouGov UK) 16 January 2024 Compared
To 2012, Few Think Things Have Gotten Any Easier For The Next Generation Opening the archives shows
that a YouGov survey conducted in 2012 found that 88% of Britons said that
‘teenagers today’ would find it harder than their parents’ generation to buy
a home – including 67% who said it would be “much harder”. Only 3% thought it
would be easier, while 7% thought it would be about the same. Fast forward 12
years to now and we find those figures are virtually unchanged. A similar 84%
say it will be harder for teenagers today to buy a home than it was for their
parents (including 66% who say “much harder”), while 4% think it will be
easier and 8% imagine it will be about the same. (YouGov UK) 17 January 2024 Seven In Ten Not Confident
Conservatives Can Provide Strong And Stable Leadership New polling from Ipsos
shows seven in ten (70%) Britons are not confident that the Conservative
party can provide Britain with strong and stable leadership. Only one in four
(25%) say they are confident. Fieldwork was conducted 9th - 10th January
2024. These figures have worsened from when Rishi Sunak first become Prime
Minister in October 2023 (at that time 35% were confident and 54% not
confident). The picture is now very similar to the days before Liz Truss left
office when 71% lacked confidence, against 23% confident. (Ipsos MORI) 18 January 2024 Majority Of Britons Continue To
Be Unfavourable Towards Rishi Sunak The first Ipsos Political
Pulse of 2024, conducted online between the 12th and 14th January, asked the
public whether they were favourable or unfavourable towards leading UK
politicians and their respective parties, whether they thought Britain was
heading in the right or wrong direction and what impact they thought leaving
the European Union has had on the country. 53% of the public are unfavourable
towards Rishi Sunak and 24% are favourable. Scores are largely unchanged
since September when 24% were favourable and 52% unfavourable. (Ipsos MORI) 26 January 2024 A Three-Way Tie Between
Inflation, The NHS And The Economy As The Biggest Issues Facing Britain The January 2024 Ipsos
Issues Index shows economic and healthcare issues at the top of public
concern. Just over three in ten name one of inflation (32%), the NHS (31%)
and the economy (31%) as one of the biggest issues facing the country. Priorities
vary between different groups: inflation is the biggest issue for younger
people (42% among 18-34s), Labour party supporters and people from ethnic
minority backgrounds (both 41%), those from social grades ABC1 are more
likely to mention the NHS (39%), while the economy is cited more frequently
by men (37%) and those living in rural areas (38%). (Ipsos MORI) 31 January 2024 Masculinity
And Women’s Equality: Study Finds Emerging Gender Divide In Young People’s
Attitudes Ipsos online random
probability UK KnowledgePanel – also shows that in some cases young
men today are no more supportive of action on gender equality than older men By
41% to 22%, the public are twice as likely to say “toxic masculinity” is an
unhelpful rather than helpful term. And while younger people overall have a
more favourable view of this phrase, there is a big gender divide in views
among them: 37% of men aged 16 to 29 say “toxic masculinity” is an unhelpful
phrase, roughly double the 19% of young women who feel this way. (Ipsos MORI) 01 February 2024
The Potential Of The First
Crypto Funds In Germany Since the beginning of
2024, the first crypto funds have been approved in Germany by the Federal
Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). This means that asset managers can
now also set up listed funds in this country that invest directly in Bitcoins
& Co. Although this is not interesting for a majority of the German
population - 55 percent of all respondents say that approval from BaFin will
certainly not encourage them to invest in cryptocurrencies via these crypto
funds. (YouGov Germany) 25 January 2024
Italian Families And The
Challenge Of Unexpected Inflation During 2023, BVA Doxa
conducted " The Survey on the
savings and financial choices of Italians " for Intesa Sanpaolo and the
Einaudi Center. 95 % of families declare they are financially independent , an
increase compared to 93% in the 2022 survey, confirming that (despite the
difficulties of the scenario) income autonomy resists. The share of families
who manage to save reaches the maximum pre-pandemic values
(54.7% vs. 53.5% in 2022). The average percentage of income saved also rises (12.6%,
from 11.5% in 2022). (BVA Doxa) 10 January 2024 NORTH AMERICA (US) The Quality Of Parent-Child
Relationships In U.S. Families Gallup asked parents and
caretakers to describe the overall quality of their relationship with a child
from their household. For caretakers with more than one child in the
household, the parent was asked to select the child with the next birthday.
Response options ranged from very poor (1) to excellent (5). The majority of
U.S. parents/caretakers report an excellent relationship (60%), with only 1%
describing it as poor or very poor. (Gallup USA) 10 January 2024 Biden's Third-Year Job Approval
Average Of 39.8% Second Worst During President Joe
Biden’s third full year in office, spanning Jan. 20, 2023, to Jan. 19, 2024,
an average of 39.8% of Americans approved of his job performance. Among prior
presidents in the Gallup polling era who were elected to their first term,
only Jimmy Carter fared worse in his third year. Carter averaged 37.4%
approval in a year in which gas prices soared, inflation reached double
digits and Iranian militants took U.S. citizens hostage. (Gallup Pakistan) 25 January 2024 Economic Mood Improves, But
Inflation Still Vexing Americans The largest share of
Americans, 45%, rate current economic conditions in the country as poor,
while just over one-quarter describe conditions as excellent (5%) or good
(22%) and another 29% believe they are only fair. In December, 22% of U.S.
adults rated the economy as excellent or good. Currently, 63% of Americans
say the economy is getting worse, 30% say it is improving, and 4% think it is
staying the same. Last month, 68% of Americans thought the economy was
worsening. (Gallup Pakistan) 30 January 2024 Few Americans Know How Much
Their Healthcare Costs Seventeen percent of U.S.
adults report they know how much their healthcare products or services will
cost before receiving them. While fewer than one in five Americans report
they know the cost of their healthcare products or services before receiving
them, 95% believe healthcare organizations should make these costs more
transparent before providing care. Results are consistent across all major
subgroups of the U.S. adult population. (Gallup USA) 31 January 2024 U.S. Centenarian Population Is
Projected To Quadruple Over The Next 30 Years In 2024, 78% of
centenarians are women, and 22% are men. In 30 years, women are expected
to make up 68% of those ages 100 and older, while 32% will be men. 77% of
today’s centenarians are White. Far fewer are Black (8%), Asian (7%) or
Hispanic (6%). And 1% or fewer are multiracial; American Indian or Alaska
Native; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. By 2054, White and
Asian adults are projected to make up smaller shares of centenarians (72% and
5%, respectively), while the shares who are Hispanic (11%) or Black (10%)
will be larger. (All racial categories here are single-race and non-Hispanic.
Hispanics are of any race.) (PEW) 09 January 2024 Around 4 In 10 Americans Have
Become More Spiritual Over Time; Fewer Have Become More Religious Some 41% of U.S. adults
say they have grown more spiritual over the course of their lifetime,
compared with 24% who say they have become more religious. In contrast, 13% of U.S. adults say
they have become less spiritual over time, while 33% say they have become
less religious. The rest say their spirituality and level of religiosity have
either stayed the same or fluctuated – sometimes increasing and at other
times decreasing. (PEW) 17 January 2024 Most
Americans Say Elected Officials Should Avoid Heated Or Aggressive Speech Seven-in-ten Americans say
elected officials should avoid heated or aggressive language because it could
encourage some people to take violent action. By contrast, 29% say officials
should be able to use heated language without worrying about how some people
may act. A narrow majority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents
(56%) say elected officials should avoid heated or aggressive language, while
43% say officials should be able to express themselves with this kind of
language without worrying about whether people may act on what they say. (PEW) 31 January 2024 By A Wide Margin, Americans Say
Football – Not Baseball – Is ‘America’s Sport’ More than half of
Americans (53%) say America’s sport is football – about twice the share who
say it’s baseball (27%). Much smaller shares choose one of the other four
sports we asked about: basketball (8%), soccer (3%), auto racing (3%) or
hockey (1%). We also included the option for Americans to write in another
sport. The most common answers volunteered were golf, boxing, rodeo and ice
skating. Other respondents used the opportunity to have some fun: Among the
more creative answers we received were “competitive eating,” “grievance
politics,” “reality TV” and “cow tipping.” (PEW) 05 February 2024
Seven In 10 (71%) Say It's Time
For Another Party To Take Over In Ottawa As Canadians Warm To Poilievre Canadians increasingly
believe that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre would make the best prime
minister of Canada, up 5 points since the fall of 2022. Poilievre now leads
current prime minister Trudeau by 10 points. Over the same timeframe,
Canadians have warmed to Poilievre, as favourable impressions towards him
have increased by 12 points. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is the most well-liked
leader (45%, up 7 points), but that likeability isn’t translating into
votes. 29 January 2024 Canadians Fear For The Impacts
Of Another Trump Term As U.S. Election 2024 Looms New data from the
non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds two-thirds of Canadians concerned
American democracy will not be able to survive another four years of Trump at
the helm. Just 12 per cent of Canadians say they have full confidence that
elections will be safe and secure, while twice as many (23%) say they have no
confidence at all. Another two-in-five have doubts (38%), with 27 per cent
also saying they’re more confident than not. (Angus Reid Institute) 15 January 2024 Half Of Canadians Under 55 Fear
Potential Job Loss, Majority Say They Have Little Financial Cushion A majority of under 55s
say they could not handle a sudden expense of more than $1,000 in the coming
month, including one-quarter of women aged 35- to 54-years-old who say they
can’t manage any unplanned bills because they are “already too stretched”. This
lack of wiggle room also affects many Canadians’ retirement savings planning.
Two-in-five say they don’t contribute to a TFSA or an RRSP because they don’t
have anything left to save. (Angus Reid Institute) 01 February 2024 AUSTRALIA 79% Of Australians Say They Still Engage In
COVID Safe Behaviours Four Years On Recent YouGov Surveys data
has found that, four years on, most Australians (79%) are still practicing
habits that they picked up during the pandemic. For many Australians, the
risk and fear of contracting the COVID-19 disease has somewhat subsided, four
years later. However, 32% of respondents expressed that they were still
concerned with contracting the disease, and more than a third (37%) of all
Australians still read and are up-to-date with COVID-19 cases domestically or
internationally. (YouGov Australia) 30 January 2024 Australians Say January 26 Should Be Known As
‘Australia Day’, (68.5%) And Say The Date Of Australia Day Should Stay On
January 26 (58.5%) Australians are more
evenly split on keeping Australia Day on January 26 with 58.5% saying the
date of Australia Day should stay the same while just over two-fifths, 41.5%,
say the date should be moved – according to a special Roy Morgan SMS Poll
conducted with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,111 Australians aged 18+
from Wednesday January 17 – Friday January 19, 2024. A large majority of men
favour January 26 staying as ‘Australia Day’ rather than ‘Invasion Day’ by a
margin of over 3:1 (76.5% cf. 23.5%) a significant change from a year ago
(69% cf. 31%). (Roy Morgan) 22 January 2024 Inflation Expectations In Late January Are At
5.1% – Down By 0.2% Points From The Month Of December (5.3%) A look at the monthly
Inflation Expectations for December 2023 shows the measure at 5.3% for the
month, a decrease of 0.1% points on November 2023 (5.4%). In the month of
December 2023 Australians expected inflation of 5.3% annually over the next
two years. However, since December ended, Inflation Expectations have
continued to drop throughout the month of January. The latest ABS monthly CPI estimate for
November 2023 showed a decline at 4.3%, down 0.6% points from 4.9% (October 2023)
and down a large 1.3% points since September 2023 (5.6%). (Roy Morgan) 30 January 2024 Mortgage Stress Increased In December Following
RBA’s November Rate Rise But Still Below Mid-Year Highs New research from Roy
Morgan shows 1,527,000 mortgage holders (30.3%) were ‘At Risk’ of ‘mortgage
stress’ in the three months to December 2023. This period included an
interest rate increase on Melbourne Cup Day with the RBA raising interest
rates by +0.25% to 4.35%. The number of Australians ‘At Risk’ of mortgage
stress has increased by 720,000 since May 2022 when the RBA began a cycle of
interest rate increases. (Roy Morgan) 30 January 2024 ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Recovers
1.3pts To 83.8 After Albanese Government Reveals Substance Of Stage 3 Tax Cut
Changes Just over a fifth of
Australians, 21% (up 2ppts) say their families are ‘better off’ financially
than this time last year compared to 52% (up 2ppts) that say their families
are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, a third of Australians, 33% (down 1ppt),
expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year while
an identical number, 33% (up 1ppt), expect to be ‘worse off’. Now just over
one-in-ten Australians, 11% (up 2ppts) expect ‘good times’ for the Australian
economy over the next twelve months compared to nearly a third, 30% (down
1ppt), that expect ‘bad times’. (Roy Morgan) 06 February 2024 MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES Economic Outlook Gloomy Across Western Europe As
2024 Begins, A Study Across 7 European Nations Across Western Europe,
2023 was a year dominated by economic concerns, and that looks set to
continue according to new YouGov Eurotrack data. Our survey of seven Western
European nations – Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden
– finds many are still struggling with the cost of living, are negative about
their national government’s economic stewardship, and are pessimistic about
the year ahead. Only 13-20% in each country expect the national economy to
improve in 2024. For the most part, the expectation is that the economy will
get worse, with 56% saying so in France, 52% in Spain, 49% in Germany and 40-44%
in the UK, Italy and Sweden. (YouGov UK) 09 January 2024 Global Study Issues Wake-Up Call For Women's
Health, A Survey Conducted In 143 Nations The pandemic may be over,
but the latest Hologic Global Women’s Health
Index survey shows
women’s health is no better now than it was at the height of it. Most women
surveyed said they hadn’t been tested for cancer, diabetes, high blood
pressure, or a sexually transmitted disease or infection in the past 12
months, meaning that billions of women -- including those in age groups most
at risk -- went untested for potentially life-threatening conditions for the
third consecutive year. (Gallup USA) 16 January 2024 Source:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/547712/global-study-issues-wake-call-women-health.aspx ASIA
829-833-43-01/Polls For Many In China, The Economy Feels Like It Is In
Recession
The night before China’s
civil service exam, Melody Zhang anxiously paced up and down the corridor of
her dormitory, rehearsing her answers. Only when she got back to her room did
she realize she had been crying the whole time. Zhang was hoping to start
a career in state propaganda after more than 100 unsuccessful job
applications in the media industry. With a record 2.6 million people going
for 39,600 government jobs amid a youth unemployment crisis, she didn’t get
through. “We were born in the wrong
era,” said the 24-year-old graduate from China’s top Renmin University. “No one cares about their
dreams and ambitions anymore in an economic downturn. The endless job-hunting
is a torture.” A crisis of confidence in
the economy is deterring consumers from spending and businesses from hiring
and investing, in what could become a self-feeding mechanism that erodes
China’s long-term economic potential. China grew 5.2% last year,
more than most major economies. But for the unemployed graduates, the
property owners who feel poorer as their flats are losing value, and the
workers earning less than the year before, the world’s second-largest economy
feels like it’s shrinking. Zhu Tian, economics
professor at China Europe International Business School in Shanghai, says the
textbook definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of economic
contraction - should not apply to a developing country investing roughly 40%
of its output annually, twice the level of the United States. “We’re in a recession,”
Zhu said. “If you talk to 10 people, seven will say we’ve had a bad year.” “I don’t think the
government can afford that. This cannot go on forever,” he said, urging more
stimulus measures to break out what could be a “vicious cycle” of low
confidence that will affect young people entering the job market in
particular. VANISHING
ASPIRATIONS More than one in four of
the roughly 100 million Chinese aged 16-24 were unemployed in June, the last
data point before officials suspended the series. China resumed publication
of the data on Wednesday, excluding college students from it, to put youth unemployment
at 14.9% in December. China’s Generation Z is
the most pessimistic of all age groups, surveys show. Those who find jobs earn
less than they expect as businesses cut costs in response to poor domestic
demand. Recruiter Zhaopin found the average salary employers offered in
China’s 38 biggest cities fell by 1.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. For an economy which
expanded roughly 60-fold in dollar terms since the 1980s, this is a
historical shift in mood. That success was achieved largely through gigantic
investments in manufacturing and infrastructure, but that model began
producing more debt than growth about a decade ago, with total borrowing now
reaching levels China struggles to service. Meanwhile, China trained
its students for high-skilled jobs in the services sector rather than factory
or construction work. Subdued household consumption and regulatory crackdowns
on the finance, tech and education industries have diminished their opportunities. Janice Zhang, 34, had
worked in the tech industry until late 2022 when she quit to handle a family
emergency, confident she could easily find a new job given her experience and
U.S. education. But Zhang only found a
social media marketing position, where she was expected to put in 15-hour
shifts, so she quit after a short while. The state of the economy
makes her feel like a “grain of sand on the beach,” unable to control her own
destiny, she said. “In China, this word
‘aspiration’ has been driving everyone, because they believed tomorrow will
be the best time. What I’m trying to conquer in my life now is, in a way,
healing the disappointment tomorrow is going to bring.” PROPERTY
CRISIS Vincent Li, the owner of a
high-end coffee shop in Shanghai, took a one-two punch that he says knocked
him out of the middle class. As Chinese cut spending,
they prefer cheaper coffee. And the two apartments he bought for 4 million
yuan ($558,612) in 2017 on the touristy Hainan island haven’t attracted any
renting or buying interest in three years. “The property market is
saturated,” Li said. In China, 96% of the
roughly 300 million urban households owned at least one apartment in 2019,
according to the latest central bank data. A third owned two, and a tenth
owned more. About 70% of household
savings are invested in property. In some cities, apartments
have lost two thirds of their value since the real estate market downturn
began in 2021, property agents said, making their owners feel less wealthy
and slash their spending. The property sector, which
accounted for roughly a quarter of economic activity at its peak, is now seen
as a key threat to China’s attempts to escape the middle-income trap. “The big risk is that the
fallout from diminishing old growth sources could become too large to contain
and inhibit new growth sources. If that happens, China could become stuck in
transition,” said Yuen Yuen Ang, Alfred Chandler Chair of Political Economy
at Johns Hopkins University. It is not just domestic
policies impacting life in China. Diplomatic tensions with the West over
Taiwan, Ukraine and the South China Sea have contributed to its first ever
foreign investment deficit. Trade bodies have raised
alarm over raids on consultancies and due diligence firms and exit bans,
among other issues. U.S. tech restrictions on
China prevent David Fincher’s consultancy in Shanghai from doing business in
leading-edge semiconductors, blocking off a key source of income. He is considering moving
overseas, fearing more diplomatic tensions or new regulatory shifts from
Beijing could make his business untenable. “You feel like a lobster
in a pot,” Fincher said. “The water gets hotter and you just kind of sit
there.” “I worry about Beijing as
much as everybody else.” (Asahi Shimbun) 18 January 2024 Source:
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15117757
829-833-43-02/Polls Ipsos India Showcases New Thinking On Generations – Busting
Popular Myths About Gen Z & Gen X
Ipsos India showcased new thinking on Generations busting
myths about Generation Z and Gen X, providing a true understanding of the two
key cohorts, exhorting marketers to fine tune their targeting with precise
messaging. Generation Z, those born
between 1997 to 2012 and Generation X (born between 1965 to 1980) have been
the fastest growing cohorts. Ipsos highlighted some of the misconceptions
around these two groups of dynamic people. Ashwini Sirsikar, Group
Service Line Leader, UU and Synthesio, Ipsos India said, “We all know that
India is a young country, with 65% of its population belonging to Gen Z or Y.
What may be news to some of us is that it is actually Gen X which is the
faster growing population for India. While much is written, spoken and known
about Gen Z, there is very little which is known about Gen X. However, what
is common to both segments is the abundance of myths which exist around each
of these segments. Our attempt is to bust some of these myths and leave some
food for thought for marketers.” Generation
Z Myth 1 - We all tend
to have this stereotypical Gen Z image shaped by the popular media and our
own exposure to various western influences. But the reality is different. Generation Z has
regressive views on gender roles. Myth
2 - One would expect Gen Z as a cohort to be a happy bunch and someone who
would lead a very carefree life where they are able to navigate the
complexities of life very easily. In reality, Gen Z was seen
to be largely bored, lonely and frustrated. And constantly under stress. Myth
- GenZ often seen as digital natives are not just social butterflies in the
virtual world but also adept at forming meaningful connections in the
physical world. Not only are they bored
and lonely, they are finding it more difficult to make friends after the
pandemic. They are comfortable interacting with people online but that itself
could be a stressor for them - as it becomes difficult for them to form true
human and personal connect in the non-online world. They find the thought of
talking to strangers difficult and struggle to open
conversations. Myth:
Gen Z is self absorbed, entitled and privileged. Interestingly, what we see
is a heightened sense of awareness about financial responsibilities –
they do not feel as secure financially (some of them would have just started
working) and also worry the most about being a financial burden on the family. To combat this, they often
start to earn early and supplement their income through side jobs. Gen Z is so different from
how it is perceived in money matters. From
Gen Z To Gen X: Shifting Our Lens to Explore The Next Generation Generation
X Myth
1: Gen X is often caught between the responsibilities of caring for parents
and raising their own families coupled with the pressures of maintaining
their careers, mental and physical wellbeing. Contrary to the popular notion, Gen X-ers actually
feel way better physically and mentally when compared to Gen Z. Myth 2: Significant global
events, economic fluctuation have resulted in Gen X being pessimistic. We know that the Gen X has
seen considerable financial fluctuation as well as big global events that
have impacted their lives – which leads us to think that they are a naturally
pessimistic generation. However, they are feeling a lot more optimistic about life
in general - more well prepared, excited and optimistic and less lonely,
bored and frustrated. Myth 3: Generation X with
multiple financial responsibilities find themselves cash strapped and need to
dip into savings. We already know that as a
Generation, they have a huge spending power. Despite this, it was
interesting to note both Gen X and Gen Z feel similarly when it came to
buying things they need. However, Gen X-ers also try to keep their life
simple as far as possessions are concerned. They in fact believe in leading a
simple life. While Gen Xers believe in
simple living, it does not translate to frugal. They are in fact enthusiastic
about making purchases across a very wide range of categories. These categories span a
broad range – these not just include the obvious ones like grocery, financial
services, health care etc. but also others like fashion, home décor, consumer
durables, personal care, automobiles etc. Myth 4: Generation X often
considered financially pragmatic, is known for saving for very specific
goals. Interestingly, Gen X was
seen to be self-sufficient when it comes to money. They have a savings
mindset but were not saving for anything.in particular. Popular
culture Vs reality. Does Gen X’s portrayal match up? We saw the myths and also
busted all of them till now. Let us now look at the portrayal of Gen X in
popular culture and see if this representation matches the reality or does it
just carry forward the existing stereotypes! Gen X is largely a
forgotten generation or a sandwiched generation. Every generation has its stereotype — millennials
are whiny, Gen Z is weird, and boomers are selfish. Gen X's is that no one remembers them. 41% of them feel that
their generation is not at all well-represented in the advertisements today. Look at some salient TV
commercials - Most categories focus on either the youth or the boomers, youth
- because everyone runs after them, boomers - as everyone listens when granny
speaks. What
is clearly evident is that there are very few meaningful portrayals of Gen X
or any meaningful relationships shown between Gen X and Gen Z. Even when Gen X are
represented in ads, the depiction is stereotypical and it is in categories
like health, insurance etc. - portrayed as the ignorant, tech unsavvy
folks, just as provider who need to be educated either by their smarter
kids or an expert. Also shown as being at
logger heads with Gen Z – having extreme and traditional views. And
the portrayal of one generation teaching the other. Gen Xers also feel very
under-represented in specific categories like fashion, beauty, durables,
automobiles etc. – and unfortunately, these are the very categories that they
are looking forward to buying in the very near future. A few brave attempts made
to unstereotype this generation – but definitely not enough.
There is some glimmer of
hope when it comes to OTT - Many Gen X centric shows with lead actors in
their 50s now coming through. Playing their age, breaking the stereotypes. Need for more authentic
representation of both generations to avoid alienation. What will it take to
engage them meaningfully and tap into their buying power? At what age do we cap
survey participation? “The
narrative of Generation X is marked by satisfaction, wealth accumulation, and
unfortunately, disregard. This rapidly growing, affluent generation is often
overlooked, both in terms of dedicated research and representation in studies
and targeted marketing - a situation that requires introspection and change,”
stated Maitreyi Mangrati, Executive
Director and country service line leader, Synthesio, Ipsos
India. While there are many
misperceptions and differences between these 2 generations, one thing on
which their views converge is the impact of climate change on the planet and
the need to take necessary action. (Ipsos India) 04 February 2024
829-833-43-03/Polls Opinion Is Split Amongst Pakistanis As An Equal Proportion
(36% Each) Believe That The Number Of People Casting Their Vote In The 2024
Elections Will Be More, Or Less Than That In The 2018 Elections
According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, opinion is split amongst
Pakistanis as an equal proportion (36% each) believe that the voter turnout
for the elections of 2024 will be more than or less than that of the
elections of 2018. A nationally representative sample of adult men and women
from across the country was asked the question, “Do you think more people
will cast their vote in the 2024 elections or less people will vote?” In
response, 36% said ‘More people will vote’, 36% said ‘Fewer people will
vote’, 8% said “It will not matter”, and 20% said that they did not know or
gave no response.
(Gallup Pakistan) 26 January 2024 Source:
https://gallup.com.pk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/26.01.24.Daily-poll-English.pdf
829-833-43-04/Polls 6 Out Of 10 Pakistanis (57%) Report Lesser Preparation And
Excitement For The Upcoming Elections Of 2024 Compared To Those In 2018
According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 6 out of 10 Pakistanis (57%) are
of the opinion that there is lesser excitement and preparation for the
upcoming elections of 2024, than there was in the previous elections in 2018.
A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the
country was asked the question, “Some people believe that during the 2024
election campaign there is less preparation and excitement in their area than
the last election (2018 election campaign), while others believe that during
the 2024 election campaign in their area there is more preparation and
excitement compared to the last election (2018 election campaign), while some
others believe that it is the same preparation and excitement as it was in
the last election. What are your thoughts on this?” In response, 57% said
‘Less preparation and excitement than last election’, 14% said ‘More
preparation and excitement than last election’, 10% said ‘As much preparation
and excitement than last election’, and 19% said that they did not know or
gave no response.
(Gallup Pakistan) 29 January 2024 Source:
https://gallup.com.pk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/29.01.24.Daily-poll-English.pdf
829-833-43-05/Polls Nearly 3 Out Of 4 Pakistanis (71%) Report Being Affected By
Fog Or Smog In The Previous Month
According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, nearly 3 out of 4 Pakistanis (71%)
report being affected by fog or smog in the previous month. A nationally
representative sample of adult men and women from across the country was
asked the question, “Like the last few years, this time also different areas
of Pakistan had to face smog at the beginning of winter. Please let us know
whether your area was also affected by fog/smog during the last one month?”
In response, 71% said ‘Yes’, 26% said ‘No’, and 3% said that they did not
know or gave no response.
(Gallup Pakistan) 30 January 2024 Source:
https://gallup.com.pk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/30.01.24.Daily-poll-English.pdf
829-833-43-06/Polls 8 Out Of 10 Pakistani Voters (80%) On The Election Day
Agreed That Political Parties Should Set Aside Their Differences After The
Elections And Work Together
According to a survey
conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 8 out of 10 Pakistani voters (80%)
on the election day agreed that political parties should set aside their
differences after the elections and work together. A statistically selected
sample of male and female voters from across the country was asked the
question, “Some people think that all political parties should set aside
their differences after the elections and should work together. Do you agree
or disagree with this opinion?” In response 80% Agreed, 17% Disagreed, and 3%
said that they did not know or gave no response.
(Gallup Pakistan) 12 February 2024 Source:
https://gallup.com.pk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12.02.24.Daily-poll.pdf
829-833-43-07/Polls Always On Your Gadget
Gadgets are used to being
in a group of luxurious products. But as time goes by, many types of gadgets
like smartphones for example, are now becoming a necessity for almost
everyone in this world. A report from We Are
Social 2023 said that the internet penetration in Indonesia, as a country
with the largest digital economic growth in Southeast Asia [1] has reached 77%, and 98.3% of people
access it using smartphones. According to International Data Corporation
(IDC), the Indonesian smartphone market in Q3 2023 even showed growth until
8.8% compared to the same period in the previous year. [2] As two generations with
the largest population who grow up with and are highly connected to
technology and internet, Generation Z and Millennials are believed to be the
main actors for the growth of gadget market [1]. Covering around 32% of the population in
2019, the majority of Gen Z (98%) have even had a smartphone since they were
10 years old [3]. Additionally, research
from IDC indicated that there is a change in consumer needs to switch to
mobile devices with more sophisticated specifications from time to time [4]. And in sync with the facts above, some
media even recommend people to consult with at least one of these two young
generations first before buying a new gadget. Due to this interesting
phenomenon, in December 2023, Snapcart conducted research about Indonesian
Gen Z & Millennials’ behavior in purchasing and using gadget, where we
found some interesting facts below.
From 682 respondents (50%
Gen Z & 50% Millennials), this research figured out that 40% of young
people in Indonesia have more than 1 phone. And more than half of them (59%)
are planning to buy a new gadget in the next few months. Meanwhile most of those
who don’t plan to buy a new gadget said that the last time they bought a new
gadget was around 1-3 years ago. However, majority of all
our respondents confessed that if they could find any gadget that has
advanced camera features which can take (without being affected by the
distance of the object) and upload clear photos/videos, plus equipped with
beauty filters, they would purchase that gadget without thinking twice.
Breaking
The Stereotypes This study has discovered
that not all stereotypes about Gen Z & Millennials’ behaviors in
purchasing gadget are true. Known as extremely tech
savvy, extremely comfortable with technological evolution, and the most
up-to-date generations, our survey found out that even though advanced camera
features might lure Gen Z & Millennials to buy a new gadget, but
interestingly, they confessed that fascinating features are not really their
priority while purchasing a new gadget. Many of them said that
phone durability and price are the two most important things for them to be
considered while they are shopping to buy a gadget. You can check the details
of their answers below.
On the other hand, even
though the cashless payment method is exceedingly popular since Covid-19
pandemic especially amongst young people, most Gen Z & Millennials still
prefer to pay with cash while buying a new gadget. You can check the details
of their purchasing behaviors in the infographic at the beginning of this
article. Always
On Their Gadget We often see that Gen Z
& Millennials are always looking at their phone wherever they are.
Therefore, we also asked our respondents about their habits in using gadgets,
and we figured out that their answers are in sync with the previous data
above. For instance, in this
study, we discovered that many Gen Z & Millennials are craving a “strong”
gadget. And as we asked them further about their habit in using gadgets, most
of them admitted that they spend more than 6 hours every day using their gadget(s). Furthermore, advanced
camera features that many of them desire are the result of social media
influence that they access most of the time. You can see the details of this
data in the infographic above. Young Generations, Brand, and Prestige Many studies have said
that young consumers like Gen Z & Millennials are very attracted to
certain brands for social prestige. Thus, we asked them some questions to
find out whether this phenomenon is completely true or not, and our survey
discovered that indeed, 87% of Gen Z & Millennials think that brands are
so important for them in choosing gadget to buy. But most of them (89%) said
that prestige is not the reason.
(Snapcart) 02 February 2024 Source:
https://snapcart.global/always-on-your-gadget/ MENA
829-833-43-08/Polls Only 15% Of Israelis Want Netanyahu To Keep Job After Gaza
War, Poll Finds
Only 15% of Israelis want
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay in office after the war on Hamas in
Gaza ends, though many more still support his strategy of crushing the
terrorists in the Palestinian enclave, according to a poll published on Tuesday. The lack of support for
Netanyahu dovetailed with other polls published since the disastrous October
7 attacks, in which Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israel, killing
1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 240 people hostage. The Israel
Democracy Institute survey, a monthly gauge of Israeli sentiment
on current events, also found drooping levels of optimism for the country’s
future security and democratic character, reversing a two-month trend, with
war cabinet minister Benny Gantz coming up as the leading name to helm the
country following the war. In the poll, 56% of those
questioned said continuing the military offensive was the best way to recover
the hostages, while 24% thought a swap deal including the release of
thousands more Palestinian prisoners from Israel’s jails would be best. The survey asked
respondents whether Israel should shift the war in Gaza into lower gear as
the army appears set to do, though it framed the move as coming in light of
reported American demands. Put that way, some two-thirds of Israelis
disagreed with such action. The army announced this
week that it would begin withdrawing some troops from Gaza, in line with
plans outlined by officials for a lengthy low-intensity campaign focusing on
remaining Hamas strongholds and “pockets of resistance.” The US, which has backed
Israel’s right to self-defense and rejected calls for a ceasefire, has
pressed Israeli leaders to transition away from the high-intensity bombing
campaign and ground incursion after months of devastating fighting that has
left broad swaths of the Strip in ruins. At the same time, Israeli
military officials have indicated the plan was always to transition to a
lower-intensity phase, which would last many months more. There has been
little sign of dissatisfaction among the army’s top professionals with the
emerging end of the high-intensity stage, and top generals have increasingly
indicated such a transition is becoming appropriate. The poll did not appear to
gauge general public support for transitioning stages as the army has set
out. Rather it asked: “According to reports, the United States is demanding
that Israel shifts to a different phase of the war in Gaza, with an emphasis on
reducing the heavy bombing of densely populated areas. Should Israel agree to
this demand?” To this, 66% responded in
the negative, while 22.7% said yes. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the war until Hamas is crushed and
the more than 100 hostages still held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza are
freed. While there is nearly
unanimous sympathy for the plight of the families of the hostages, the poll
showed that many disagree with calls for a so-called “all-for-all” deal that
would see Israeli free the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it holds for
terror-related crimes in exchange for the return of the 129 hostages still in
Gaza — not all of them alive. Rather, many back Netanyahu’s contention that
military pressure will lead to their freedom.
Israelis walk past candles
and photographs of the victims killed and held hostage by Hamas terrorists in
Gaza since the October 7 massacre, on Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv. December
31, 2023. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90) The survey found that
56.1% of respondents thought Israel should continue intense fighting so
soldiers could find and free hostages, while only 24% agreed that Israel
should “release all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in return for the
release of all the hostages, even if this means agreeing to Hamas’s demand to
halt the fighting” and end the war entirely. Jewish and Arab Israelis
appeared as mirror images, with 65% of the former pushing for a military
solution and 62% of the latter calling for a deal. A full 25% of Arab
respondents admitted that they had no answer for the wrenching issue. ADVERTISEMENT The survey was conducted
some 10 days after the army admitted on December 15 that its soldiers had
accidentally shot and killed three hostages who had managed to escape their
captors, sparking fresh questions regarding military action as the
appropriate tool to secure the freedom of hostages. A truce in December saw
105 hostages freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian inmates. Talks for a fresh
truce have sputtered in recent weeks. Hamas has stated
repeatedly that another hostage deal will not happen unless Israel agrees to end
the war entirely, which Jerusalem has said is a nonstarter.
Released Israeli hostage
Aviva Siegel marches with young members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza during a five-day
march from Tel Aviv to the Jerusalem Knesset on December 28, 2023. (Chaim
Goldberg/Flash90 Many Israelis think the
government and military have had only moderate success in meeting the wartime
goals of toppling Hamas and bringing the hostages home, the poll showed. Only
26.8% thought Israel had met the goal of toppling Hamas to a large extent,
while 14% thought Israel had largely succeeded in bringing the hostages home.
War cabinet Minister Benny
Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant,
at a press conference at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv,
November 22, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) While the October 7
assault exposed worrying holes in Israel’s vaunted defenses, the survey had
found the number of people expressing optimism for the country’s security
situation over the near future rising from 35% in September to 46.5% in
November. In December, however, that figure fell back to 40%, while a brief
bump in those expressing optimism about the country’s democratic future —
likely tied to a controversial judicial overhaul being set aside — also
dropped slightly in December.
Israelis protest against
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday,
Dec. 30, 2023. (AP/Ariel Schalit) The poll also found that
bellicose sentiments toward Gaza did not fully extend to the northern border,
where Hezbollah rocket attacks from Lebanon have raised the prospect of war.
Only 50.9% backed opening up a second front in the north. The survey polled 605
Hebrew speakers and 151 Arabic speakers over the internet and phone in late
December. It carried a margin of error of +-3.55%. (The Times of Israel) 01 January 2024 AFRICA
829-833-43-09/Polls Nigerians Want The Government To Prioritize Security, Job
Creation, And Electricity In 2024
A new public opinion poll
released by NOIPolls reveals the top three key and important areas Nigerians
want the government to focus on in the year 2024 and these include security
(52 percent), job creation (46 percent) and electricity (40 percent).
Other areas Nigerians want the government to focus on to solve the challenges
in the areas include price regulation (36 percent), reconsideration of
subsidy removal (30 percent), economy (20 percent), agricultural sector, and
education both tied at (19 percent), Infrastructure (11 percent), giving of
soft loans (7 percent) and upward review of the minimum wage (5 percent)
amongst other areas mentioned by adult Nigerians. The frightening spate of
insecurity in Nigeria has become a liability for the government as it is
their sole responsibility to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians. It
is crippling economic activities across the nation as there is an obvious
link between the insecurity in Nigeria and the living condition of its
citizens. The widespread insecurity in the country has led to the disruption
of agricultural activities which is the largest employer of labor and the
largest economic sector in the country (25.9% of GDP in 2021). Agriculture
also provides input for various manufacturing companies. Nigeria’s high food
inflation rate, which stood at 17.2% in March 2022, is largely attributed to
the increasing scourge of insecurity in the country’s Northern region.[1] Beyond the agricultural
sector, unemployment generally especially amongst those within the youthful
age has become worrisome. The incidence of high unemployment in Nigeria can
be attributed to the slow pace of job creation, which has been considerably
weaker than labor force growth.[2] Keeping Nigerians engaged and
productive, especially the younger population will reduce the incidences of
excessive behaviors and criminality. Another bothersome trend
is the spate of electricity supply in Nigeria which has remained grossly
inadequate hence affecting household and commercial demands. Nigerians
self-generate a significant portion of their electricity with highly
polluting off-grid alternatives and at a cost that is more than twice the
cost of grid-based power. How can the Nigerian people and industries be
globally competitive without access to affordable and reliable power?[3] With a major focus on the
aforementioned areas of priority, there is a need for the government to
expedite action to ameliorate the current challenging socio-economic
situation and create a sustainable living condition for Nigerians. These are
some of the key highlights from the New Year Poll conducted in the week
commencing January 8th, 2024. Survey
Background At the stroke of midnight
on the 1st January 2024 the euphoric and nostalgic chant of “Happy New
Year” rented the air heralding the dawn of a new year in every part of the
globe. People all over the world chanted with excitement and euphoria as 2023
eased out. New years are associated with new beginnings and opportunities for
growth. As it is the norm in African societies where communal living is
entrenched and family life is held in high esteem, the new year is celebrated
with families and friends. It is typically considered an extension of the
Christmas celebration. Amidst the celebration and
fanfare, the question of what the new year holds for Nigerians is heavy in
the hearts of many citizens. With all the surprises, changes, and adjustments
Nigerians had to deal with in 2023, a feasible and honest road map for
national development is anticipated from the government of the day. Nigerians
are eager to find out from their leaders: Will living conditions improve?
Will food prices crash? Will there be improved security? Will wages increase?
Will the fuel prices drop? Will Nigerians see a drop in foreign exchange
rates? Will healthcare improve? Will there be improved infrastructure? Will
Nigerians be allowed to “breathe”? As Nigerians anticipate a
better year, it would be heartwarming to see tangible improvement in the key
areas Nigerians have pointed out, in security, job creation, and electricity
amongst others. Whether the wish of Nigerians will materialize for good or
get worse remains to be seen as the year unfolds. Against this backdrop,
NOIPolls surveyed to find out the views of Nigerians regarding their
expectations for the new year and hereby presents its findings. Survey
Findings Nigerians were asked the
top three areas they want the government to focus its attention on in the
year 2024 and the poll results reveal that the top three key areas include
Security (52 percent), Job creation (46 percent), and Electricity (40
percent). Other areas Nigerians want the government to pay attention to
include price regulation (36 percent), reconsideration of subsidy removal (30
percent), economy (20 percent), agricultural sector and education (19
percent), infrastructure (11 percent), giving of soft loans (7 percent),
upward review of minimum wage (5 percent), improve key sectors and roll out
empowerment programs (3 percent).
Demographic Representation
of the New Year Poll Conclusion In conclusion, the poll
results reveal that Nigerians want the government to focus its attention on
three key areas which include security, job creation, and electricity. This
is an agenda-setting endeavor by Nigerians to the government as these areas
have been long neglected by the government and the effect of neglect is felt
by everyone in the country. For instance, due to neglect in the security
sector, Nigerians experience loss of lives every time there is an attack in
their communities and they live in fear and trepidation, and no economy can
grow given such dire circumstances. Therefore, there is an urgent need for
the government to move in this direction with the view of ameliorating the
problem so that ordinary Nigerians will experience a better life in the year
2024. It remains to be seen if the government will heed the yearnings of
Nigerians or will turn a blind eye while Nigerians continue to count their
losses. (NOI Polls) 18 January 2024 Source:
https://www.noi-polls.com/post/2024-priorities-for-government
829-833-43-10/Polls Climate Change A Priority In Sudan – Among Those Who Have
Heard Of It
Even as armed conflict
ravages Sudan (Médecins Sans Frontières, 2023), a less obvious but
insidious phenomenon threatens the well-being – even the survival – of its
people: climate change. Blamed for rising
temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, record floods, and increasingly
frequent droughts, climate change puts agriculture and other livelihoods at
risk, with grave consequences for food security and health
(Climate-Related Peace and Security Risks Project, 2022; USAID, 2016;
ReliefWeb, 2020; Tayebi, 2021). Evidence suggests that
climate change has also increased competition for access to scarce
resources, including water and grazing lands, fuelling cycles of
intercommunal conflict (Climate-Related Peace and Security Risks
Project, 2022; United Nations Envionment Programme, 2022). The Notre Dame Global
Adaptation Initiative (2023) ranks Sudan among the 10 countries most
vulnerable to climate change worldwide (179th out of 185). This dispatch reports on a
special survey module included in the Afrobarometer Round 9
questionnaire to explore Sudanese experiences and perceptions of climate
change. Findings show that almost
half of Sudanese have not heard of climate change. Among those familiar
with climate change, most say the government is doing a poor job of
addressing the threat. But most also call for greater engagement by
business and industry, developed countries, and ordinary citizens as
well as by the government. Key findings
(Afrobarometer) 15 January 2024
829-833-43-12/Polls Tanzanians Commend COVID-19 Response But Call For More
Investment In Preparing For Future Health Emergencies
Tanzania experienced its
first and most serious wave of COVID-19 from March to June 2020. The
government’s response to the pandemic included partial lockdowns of schools
and international borders and the banning of mass gatherings except for
worship (da Corta, et al. 2022; National Bureau of Statistics,
2020). Toward the end of April
2020, then-President John Magufuli’s government stopped publishing data
on COVID-19 cases and deaths, citing suspicions of faulty testing kits and a
lack of integrity in the testing process. In addition, sharing of real-time
data was thought to cause public fear and panic. The government was
initially hesitant to promote the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine,
advocating instead for the use of traditional/herbal remedies such as
steam therapy and dietary supplements. In June 2020, restrictions on schools,
social events, bars, hotels, and other businesses were relaxed. After President Samia
Suluhu Hassan took office in March 2021, the government resumed
publishing COVID-19 statistics and declared its commitment to a vaccination
programme. As of 31 December 2023, the World Health Organization (2023)
reported 43,223 cases of COVID 19 in Tanzania, with 846 deaths. Like the rest of the
world, Tanzania was affected socially and economically by the pandemic.
Its gross domestic product growth rate shrank from 7% in 2019 to 4.8% in 2020
(National Bureau of Statistics, 2021a). The effects on employment were temporary,
as labour force participation declined from 72% in January 2020 to 67%
in February-March 2021 before bouncing back to 75% in April-May the
same year (National Bureau of Statistics, 2021b). Seeking financial
assistance to support its COVID-19 Socioeconomic Response and Recovery
Plan, the government secured a USD 567.25 million concessional loan from the
International Monetary Fund to implement development projects in
adversely affected sectors such as health, tourism, water, education,
and social protection (Ministry of Finance and Planning, 2022). A recent Afrobarometer
survey reveals that about one in seven Tanzanian households report
losing a primary source of income due to the pandemic. Only about three in 10
adults say they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and willingness
to get vaccinated is strongly associated with trust in the government
to ensure vaccine safety. Tanzanians are generally satisfied with the
government’s response to COVID-19, but many also believe that
corruption has led to the loss of public resources meant to address the
pandemic. While most Tanzanians are
confident that their government will be well prepared to handle future
health emergencies, a majority also say that greater investment in such
preparations is needed. Key findings
(Afrobarometer) 02 February 2024
829-833-43-13/Polls In Seychelles, Ensuring Children’s Welfare Remains A
Challenge For The Poor
Seychelles’ policy and
legal framework to protect and promote child well-being has included
free and compulsory education for children aged 5-16 since 1978. The
National Plan of Action for Children (2005-2009) formalised a
commitment to enhancing children’s well-being. Most recently, the
Children (Amendment) Act 2020 outlawed corporal punishment of children
in all settings, including schools, homes, and alternative care
settings (Government of Seychelles, 2005, 2020; Purvis, 2020). Despite this legal
arsenal, issues pertaining to the protection and well-being of children
remain, including child labour and sexual exploitation (Humanium, 2020). A
recent case shocked the nation and highlighted the new dangers of
social media: In 2020, three men, including a police officer, were
convicted of sexual offences against 75 girls aged 12-18 whom they had
recruited and groomed via social media (Africa Legal Information, 2020;
Seychelles News Agency, 2020). In response, the government established the
Seychelles Child Law Reform Committee to review the country’s legal
framework for children in line with international law obligations and
best practices (Judiciary of Seychelles, 2020). What is the perspective of
Seychelles citizens regarding their country’s efforts in safeguarding
children’s welfare? This dispatch reports on a
special survey module included in the Afrobarometer Round 9 (2021/2023)
questionnaire to explore Africans’ attitudes and perceptions related to
child well-being. Survey findings show that
Seychellois are evenly divided on whether the use of physical force to
discipline children is justified, though a majority say neither corporal
punishment nor child abuse and neglect are common in their community. Most also say that support
services are available in their community for abused or neglected
children, for children with disability, and for children and adults with
mental or emotional problems. And a majority of Seychellois are
satisfied with the government’s performance on child welfare. But
compared to economically well-off citizens, poor respondents are
significantly more likely to see child abuse and neglect as common problems
and less likely to say that support services are available and that the
government is doing a good job of protecting and promoting the
well-being of vulnerable children. Key findings
(Afrobarometer) 05 February 2024 WEST EUROPE
829-833-43-14/Polls Four Years After Brexit, What Future Forms Of Relationship
With The EU Would Britons Support
Rejoining
the EU is the most popular option In the years following the
EU referendum, several YouGov studies were dedicated to exploring what kind of Brexit Britons
most wanted to see. Now, almost four years
after Brexit has happened, and with attitudes to exiting the EU having soured significantly, the future nature of our relationship
with the EU is still a key issue. While Keir Starmer has pledged that Labour will not return the
UK to the EU fold, or even
the Single Market, there is clear desire on the continent – most prominently Emmanuel Macron – to bring the UK closer into the
EU’s orbit. For their part, some
Conservatives are calling for a further loosening of ties with Europe – while
not an EU institution, the desire to leave the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) that politicians like Suella Braverman have suggested would mark a significant step away
from the legal norms binding the continent together. So what scenarios would
Britons support? We put four to the public: rejoining the EU; joining the
Single Market; the status quo; and further loosening ties with the EU. The most favoured proves
to be the first on the list: rejoining the EU. Around half of Britons (51%)
say they would support overturning the 2016 referendum result, including 33%
who “strongly” support doing so, making it by far the most passionately supported
of the four options. A third of Britons (36%)
say they would oppose rejoining the EU, including 25% who are strongly
opposed.
This survey finds that 42%
would support the lesser step of joining the Single Market, although just 23%
“strongly” support doing so. By contrast, 22% are opposed, and as many as a
third are unsure (36%). Eagle-eyed readers will
note that these figures differ markedly from a separate recent YouGov survey, which found that 57% of Britons would
back joining the single market (although the number opposed was the same, at
22%). Two factors likely account
for the majority of this difference. First is that the more recent survey
implicitly sets the Single Market option against an option which Remain
voters will find more appealing – rejoining the EU itself. Answering with
that comparison in mind may dampen enthusiasm for the Single Market option
among the pro-European section of the public. The second is that the
previous survey more explicitly highlighted the consequences of Single Market
membership on immigration policy – namely that it would mean EU citizens
would have the right to live and work in the UK, and vice versa. It is likely
that many pro-migration respondents who otherwise don’t understand much about
Single Market membership nevertheless backed the idea on this basis. That
“don’t know” responses were lower in the older survey suggests this may have
been the case. Given
the disparity between the older and more recent survey, this raises the
question: what do people think joining the Single Market entails? A separate
question looked at this issue, which
can be found in this sister article. Maintaining Britain’s
current relationship with the EU proves a relatively unpopular option. Three
in ten (31%) say they support the status quo, although only 6% strongly
support this approach, making it the option that enthuses the smallest number
of people. By contrast, 44% oppose keeping things as they are. Further loosening ties
with the EU is supported by 28% of Britons, including 11% strongly. This is,
however, also the most opposed option, both overall (54%) and strongly (33%). Most
Leave and Conservative voters would support further loosening ties with the
EU Unsurprisingly, the
results differ substantially depending on how Britons voted at the EU
referendum and the last general election. More than eight in ten
2019 Labour voters (81%), as well as Remain voters (86%), support rejoining
the EU, and about the same number oppose loosening ties with the EU further
(79-83%).
While 74% of Leave voters
and 69% of 2019 Tories oppose rejoining the EU, support for loosening ties
further is less substantial – although it is still the majority opinion at
56% of Leave voters and 53% of Conservatives. Loosening ties with the EU
proves to be a more popular option for Leave and Conservative voters than
keeping things as they are, however, with the status quo being supported
among the former by a reduced rate of 46% to 33%, and among the latter by 39%
to 31%. When it comes to joining
the Single Market, 60-65% of Labour and Remain voters would support doing so,
while Leave and Conservative voters are much more divided. Those who voted
for Brexit in 2016 oppose Single Market membership by 39% to 28%, while 2019
Tory voters do so by 39% to 31%.
Cross-policy
attitudes If we look at the
crossover support for different policies, we see that most who support EU
membership also back joining the Single Market, and vice versa. Those who
support the status quo or loosening ties further oppose both forms of closer
relationship with the EU. There is lower crossover
support between the status quo and looser ties, however. Among those who want
to keep things as they are, support for loosening ties further stands at 49%
(with 35% opposed). Among those who want to
loosen ties with the EU further than has already been done, whether or not
the status quo is acceptable divides opinion. Approaching half (45%) say they
would also support keeping things as they are, but an almost identical 44% are
opposed.
(YouGov UK) 04 January 2024
829-833-43-15/Polls Most Britons Support Yemen Strikes
By
53% to 22% the public back the government’s decision to attack Houthi targets
threatening shipping Last Thursday, British and
American forces carried out air strikes on the Houthi militant group in
Yemen. The strikes were in response to repeated missile attacks by the
Houthis on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. New YouGov data now finds
that a majority of the public (53%) support the government’s decision to
conduct the strikes, compared to 22% who are opposed.
Seven in ten of those who
voted Conservative in 2019 (72%) support the strikes, with 2019 Labour voters
backing them by the much reduced rate of 40% to 31%. Young Britons are split
27% to 27% on the strikes (with fully 46% unsure) – support for the attacks
grows with each successive age group, reaching 74% among the over-65s. There is slightly higher
public support for the government’s decision to send forces to protect
shipping, at 60% compared to 15% opposed. British destroyer HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone in
December, with US forces
intercepting anti-ship missiles in recent days. (YouGov UK) 16 January 2024 Source:
https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/48397-most-britons-support-yemen-strikes
829-833-43-16/Polls Compared To 2012, Few Think Things Have Gotten Any Easier
For The Next Generation
A
majority of Britons think it will be harder for teenagers today to get a good
job, buy a home, and enjoy a reasonable standard of living than it was for
their parents NatWest chairman Sir
Howard Davies caused a stir earlier in the month by saying he didn’t think
that it was “that difficult” to get on the property ladder in the UK. Sir Howard was widely ridiculed for his remarks, with many highlighting examples of how
house price increases have outstripped wage growth over recent decades, and
the inevitable questions about intergenerational fairness that raises. The discussion gives us an
opportunity to check in on how the public think life prospects are changing
for the next generation. Opening the archives shows
that a YouGov survey conducted in 2012 found that 88% of Britons said that
‘teenagers today’ would find it harder than their parents’ generation to buy
a home – including 67% who said it would be “much harder”. Only 3% thought it
would be easier, while 7% thought it would be about the same. Fast forward 12 years to
now and we find those figures are virtually unchanged. A similar 84% say it
will be harder for teenagers today to buy a home than it was for their
parents (including 66% who say “much harder”), while 4% think it will be
easier and 8% imagine it will be about the same.
These results, paired with
others from the same survey, suggest that most people think it is harder for
the next generation to secure for themselves the foundation blocks of a good
life in the UK. Fully 60% of Britons think
it is harder for today’s teenagers to enjoy a reasonable standard of living
than their parents’ generation (about the same as the 56% it was 12 years
ago), and 54% think it is harder for them to get a good job (although this is
down from 77% in 2012). Indeed, Britons are less
sure than they were that today’s teenagers will be able to live until age 80
than their parents. While in 2012 the proportion thinking young people would
find it easier or about the same as their parents to live to 80 stood at 80%,
this figure has since fallen to 71%. Older
Britons are less likely to think the next generation will find it harder to
get ahead Older Britons tend to be
the least likely to think that things will be harder for teenagers than their
parents found it. For instance, while 65% of
18-24 year olds think it will be harder for today’s teenagers to enjoy a
reasonable standard of living, that figure falls to 45% among the over-65s. And while older Britons
are about as likely as other age groups to think it will be harder for teenagers
to buy a house some day, they are less likely to believe it will be “much
harder”, at 54% compared to 65-71% of other age groups.
There has also been some
substantial divergence in opinion between the generations over the last 12
years. This is particularly
noticeable when it comes to the effort required to attain a reasonable
standard of living. While the number of 18-24 year olds who think teenagers
today will find it harder to enjoy a reasonable standard of living has risen by 22 points from 43% to 65%,
among older people it has fallen 13
points from 58% to 45%. And while the number of
18-24 year olds who think it will be harder for today’s teenagers to get a
good job is only eight points lower than it was in 2012 (from 68% to 60%),
among the oldest Britons that figure has fallen by an enormous 40 points,
from 86% to 46%.
(YouGov UK) 17 January 2024
829-833-43-17/Polls Seven In Ten Not Confident Conservatives Can Provide Strong
And Stable Leadership
New polling from Ipsos
shows seven in ten (70%) Britons are not confident that the Conservative
party can provide Britain with strong and stable leadership. Only one in four
(25%) say they are confident. Fieldwork was conducted 9th - 10th January
2024. These figures have
worsened from when Rishi Sunak first become Prime Minister in October 2023
(at that time 35% were confident and 54% not confident). The picture is now
very similar to the days before Liz Truss left office when 71% lacked
confidence, against 23% confident.
Seven in ten (69%) also
are not confident that the Conservatives have a good long-term economic plan
for Britain, while one in four (26%) say they are confident. Again, these
figures have gradually worsened during Rishi Sunak’s time in office (down
from 34% confident, 55% not confident in October / November 2022). However,
they are not as bad as the worst of Truss’ tenure (17%, 74%). Labour scores are better
but a majority still lack confidence in them too. Two in five (39%) think Sir
Keir Starmer’s party can provide Britain with strong and stable leadership,
against just over half who do not (53%). The numbers are similar when asked
about whether Labour have a good long-term economic plan (36% confident, 54%
not confident).
However, the majority of
the public still think Keir Starmer will become Prime Minister, with three in
five (59%) saying it’s likely (+3 since October 2023), compared to one in
five (27%) opting for unlikely (+1). Only one in five (20%) think Rishi Sunak
will win the next General Election (-2), compared to seven in ten (71%)
saying this is unlikely (+8). Ipsos
Director of Politics Keiran Pedley said of the
findings: These
figures suggest that any recovery of the Conservative brand that occurred
when Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister has more or less been reversed.
Voters are as unconvinced in the Conservatives' ability to provide strong and
stable leadership as they were in the dying days of Liz Truss’ premiership –
and they are equally negative about the party’s long-term economic plan.
Confidence in Labour is lukewarm at best. However, the party scores better
than the Conservatives overall and a clear majority of Britons expect Keir
Starmer to become Prime Minister in the future. (Ipsos MORI) 18 January 2024
829-833-43-18/Polls Majority Of Britons Continue To Be Unfavourable Towards
Rishi Sunak
The first Ipsos Political
Pulse of 2024, conducted online between the 12th and 14th January, asked the public
whether they were favourable or unfavourable towards leading UK politicians
and their respective parties, whether they thought Britain was heading in the
right or wrong direction and what impact they thought leaving the European
Union has had on the country. Favourability
towards Rishi Sunak and other leading politicians
Amidst speculation about
Rishi Sunak’s leadership of the Conservative party, it is noted that no
strong alternative stands out amongst 2019 Conservative voters. In fact,
favourability figures for Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson are virtually
identical (42% and 43% respectively) with Johnson registering higher
unfavourable figures. Meanwhile, 38% of 2019 Conservative voters are
favourable towards Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and 28% towards Home Secretary
James Cleverly.
Favourability
towards political parties Looking at attitudes to
the parties themselves we continue to see the public as more favourable
towards the Labour Party than the Conservatives. This month 33% are
favourable towards Labour and 39% are unfavourable. A year ago 35% were
favourable and 36% unfavourable. Meanwhile, 22% are favourable towards
the Conservatives and 51% are unfavourable. A year ago those figures were 25%
and 51% respectively. Elsewhere in the poll:
Ipsos
Director of Politics Keiran Pedley said of the
findings: With
a majority of Britons unfavourable towards Rishi Sunak, 6 in 10 saying things
are heading in the wrong direction and Labour maintaining a large poll lead
over the Conservatives in voter preferences, leadership speculation is to be
expected. However, it is unclear who would do a better job. No obvious
alternative stands out amongst 2019 Conservative voters so far. Plus, given
at least half of Britons have held unfavourable opinions towards the
Conservative Party since early 2022, it’s not a given that a new leader will
improve the party brand any time soon. (Ipsos MORI) 26 January 2024 Source:
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/majority-britons-continue-be-unfavourable-towards-rishi-sunak
829-833-43-19/Polls A Three-Way Tie Between Inflation, The NHS And The Economy
As The Biggest Issues Facing Britain
The January 2024 Ipsos
Issues Index shows economic and healthcare issues at the top of public
concern. Just over three in ten
name one of inflation (32%), the NHS (31%) and the economy (31%) as one of
the biggest issues facing the country. Priorities vary between
different groups: inflation is the biggest issue for younger people (42%
among 18-34s), Labour party supporters and people from ethnic minority
backgrounds (both 41%), those from social grades ABC1 are more likely to
mention the NHS (39%), while the economy is cited more frequently by men
(37%) and those living in rural areas (38%). Elsewhere in the top ten
there has been a drop in the proportion concerned about immigration. Almost a
quarter see it as one of the biggest issues for the country (23%), down six
points from December 2023. However it remains the next-biggest issue after the
top three, with almost four in ten Conservative Party supporters (36%)
mentioning it as a concern. The proportion mentioning
defence and foreign affairs issues as a big concern for Britain has doubled
this month to 14%, which is the highest score recorded since July 2022, in
the early months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fieldwork for this wave was
between 10 and 16 January, covering the period that the UK and US first
conducted airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Mike Clemence, a
researcher at Ipsos, said: We
start this election year with public concern split between economic and
healthcare issues, while immigration is an intense worry for a smaller subset
of Britons. Whenever the vote is held, it is likely that these will still be
top of the public mind. (Ipsos MORI) 31 January 2024
829-833-43-20/Polls Masculinity And Women’s Equality: Study Finds Emerging
Gender Divide In Young People’s Attitudes
Young people’s attitudes
to masculinity and women’s equality show signs of an emerging gender divide,
with the views of men and women often differing more within younger, rather
than older, generations, according to a new study. The findings, from King’s
College London’s Policy Institute and Global
Institute for Women’s Leadership in
partnership with Ipsos, shows the gender split in views is starkest among the
young when it comes to how helpful the term “toxic masculinity” is, whether
it’s harder to be a man than a woman today, whether feminism has done more
good or harm to society, and approval of the influencer Andrew Tate. The research – which is
based on a representative survey of 3,716 people aged 16+ using the Ipsos
online random probability UK KnowledgePanel –
also shows that in some cases young men today are no more supportive of
action on gender equality than older men, despite their generally being more
socially liberal, and that young men tend to be more worried about the
challenges facing men. Is
“toxic masculinity” a helpful term? By 41% to 22%, the public
are twice as likely to say “toxic masculinity” is an unhelpful rather than
helpful term. And while younger people
overall have a more favourable view of this phrase, there is a big gender
divide in views among them: 37% of men aged 16 to 29 say “toxic masculinity”
is an unhelpful phrase, roughly double the 19% of young women who feel this
way. Correspondingly, young women (47%) are considerably more likely than
young men (29%) – or any other age category – to find it a helpful term. By contrast, views among
older age groups vary less by gender – although older men are more likely
than younger men to say “toxic masculinity” is an unhelpful term. Young
people are most divided by gender on whether women or men have it tougher
today Around half (48%) the
public think it’s harder to be a woman than a man today, while one in seven
(14%) say the reverse. The biggest gender gap in
views is seen among the youngest generation: women aged 16 to 29 are
especially likely to say it is harder to be a woman, with 68% feeling this
way, compared with 35% of men of the same age. Among men, it is the
oldest who are least likely to say that men have it harder: 17% of men aged
60+ feel this way, compared with 25% of men aged 16 to 59. And when asked if women in
the UK generally have better or worse lives than men today, men aged 60+
(12%) are less likely than younger and middle-aged men (19%) to say women
have better lives. Three
in 10 young men think it’ll be harder to be a man than a woman in 20 years’
time One in six (17%) of the UK
public overall believe that in 20 years’ time it will be harder to be a man
than a woman. Men aged 16 to 29 (30%)
are almost twice as likely to feel this way, including 19% who think it’ll be
much harder to be a man. On the other hand, it is
women of this age (48%) who are most likely to say it’ll be harder to be a
woman than a man two decades from now, meaning this youngest group is the
most divided by gender on what the future will look like. Young
men are notably less positive than young women about the impact of feminism Overall, just over four in
10 (43%) think feminism has done more good to society than harm, while only
12% think it has done more harm than good. Among those aged 16 to 29,
46% of women think feminism has done more good to society than harm – 10
percentage points higher than the share of young men who feel this way (36%). And within this age group,
one in six (16%) men say feminism has done more harm than good, compared with
one in 11 (9%) women. Young
men are no more likely than older men to think equal opportunities for women
should go further 13% of the UK public
overall say attempts to give equal opportunities to women have gone too far –
but a much greater share, 46%, say they’ve not gone far enough. A third (36%)
say these attempts have made about the right amount of progress already. Men (17%) are around twice
as likely as women (8%) to say efforts to support women’s equality have gone
too far. And when it comes to those
who think efforts to provide equal opportunities have not gone far enough,
the youngest men surveyed (36%) are no more likely than the oldest (37%) hold
this view. Only
a small proportion of those who have heard of Andrew Tate say they have a
favourable opinion of him – though one in five young men have a positive view 6% of people who have
heard of Andrew Tate say they have a favourable view of him, while 76% have
an unfavourable view and 15% say their view is neither favourable nor
unfavourable. And while all age groups
are more negative than positive about Tate, young men stand out as being the
most likely to approve of him and statements he has made:
The
public are mostly fairly accurate on the UK’s gender divide when it comes to
some behaviours and characteristics – but there are some important
misperceptions The public correctly
identify some behaviours or characteristics that apply more to either women
or men, including going to prison or earning a high income for men, and
caring for family or being sexually assaulted for women. But large proportions are
wrong on other facts related to gender divides in the UK. For example:
And there is a clear
gender divide in perceptions on some issues, with men more likely than women
to think housework and care responsibilities are split equally:
However, despite this
gender divide in perceptions, most men do correctly recognise that these
behaviours or characteristics are more likely to apply to men than women. Professor
Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London,
said: A
gender divide has emerged among the youngest generations in their perceptions
of whether feminism has done more good or harm, what the future looks like
for men and women, and key terms in the debate, like ‘toxic masculinity’. Professor
Rosie Campbell, director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at
King’s College London, said: This
data shows it's not just young men's attitudes that stand out. For example,
young women are much more likely than any other group to think ‘toxic
masculinity’ is a helpful term, and are most pessimistic about the prospect
of future progress on gender equality. Gideon
Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos, said: There
is some pessimism among both young men and young women about their futures,
but from different perspectives. Both young (and more middle-aged) women are
most likely to feel that despite the advances of feminism, women’s lives will
still remain harder than men’s over the next few decades, and that gender
equality has further to go. But younger men, on the other hand, are
more worried that life will be harder for them, and are more uncertain over
male gender roles. (Ipsos MORI) 01 February 2024
829-833-43-21/Polls The Potential Of The First Crypto Funds In Germany
A
current YouGov survey on the subject of cryptocurrencies and crypto funds Since the beginning of
2024, the first crypto funds have been approved in Germany by the Federal
Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). This means that asset managers can
now also set up listed funds in this country that invest directly in Bitcoins
& Co.
Although this is not
interesting for a majority of the German population - 55 percent of all
respondents say that approval from BaFin will certainly not encourage them to
invest in cryptocurrencies via these crypto funds - however, things are
different for those who who are already investing in cryptocurrencies: In this target group, more
than one in five (22 percent) say they are already investing in the newly
approved crypto funds or are planning to do so, and a further 36 percent say
this is likely. Crypto funds arouse great interest in a total of 58 percent of
this group. However, respondents in
Germany who do not (yet) invest in cryptocurrencies are skeptical about the
newly approved crypto funds: a total of 9 percent say that they plan to
invest in the crypto funds or think they are likely to do so. More than three
out of five (62 percent) say that BaFin approval does not encourage them to
invest in crypto funds.
(YouGov Germany) 25 January 2024 Source:
https://yougov.de/economy/articles/48464-das-potenzial-der-ersten-krypto-fonds-in-deutschland
829-833-43-22/Polls Italian Families And The Challenge Of Unexpected Inflation
During 2023, BVA Doxa
conducted " The Survey on the
savings and financial choices of Italians " for Intesa Sanpaolo and the
Einaudi Center . The research, started in 1982 thanks to the collaboration
with the Einaudi Centre, aims to analyze the motivations, objectives and
financial choices of a representative sample of Italian savers. It also verifies
the adequacy of investors' behavior from the point of view of income and
asset protection, highlighting the
importance of financial education . From the study, presented
in Milan last December 15, it emerges that the savers and investors in the sample
moved in 2022 and 2023 without panic, but with so much prudence that they seemed paralyzed .
Italian savers are the same as always. In favor of brick and mortar, not
taking risks, respectful of the stock market; they know they need to save
more, but they underestimate the difference between prudent investments and
efficient investments. In their future there is a return to a world that has
disappeared for over a decade, but is completely normal, in which they are
struggling to make decisions today: they are not thawing the liquidity
iceberg, they are returning to bond
investments , but more for touch your wallets as little as
possible than to embark on a new journey. They had the good sense not to sell
everything out of panic, and also the good sense to continue saving ; to complete the
necessary metamorphosis, however, a great deal of financial competence and
education would be needed, both for the young people who will face the future
and also, immediately, for adults. The
main evidence
(BVA Doxa) 10 January 2024 Source:
https://www.bva-doxa.com/le-famiglie-italiane-e-la-sfida-dellinflazione-inattesa/ NORTH AMERICA
829-833-43-23/Polls The Quality Of Parent-Child Relationships In U.S. Families
Whether parents and
children report having a healthy, low-conflict relationship varies by certain
key characteristics of the parents and children. Adolescent children have
lower-quality relationships with their parents than younger children do, but
their parents are less likely to view them as out of control or argue
frequently with them. Married or divorced parents (compared with
never-married parents) generally report higher-quality relationships, as do
biological parents compared with other relatives, adoptive parents -- or
other arrangements. Finally, ideologically conservative parents report
higher-quality and more harmonious relationships with their children compared
with liberal or moderate parents. There are few if any
nationally representative surveys that collect information on parent-child
relationship quality. Gallup’s work in this area is meant to provide baseline
results to inform future research and better understanding about the
circumstances and beliefs that drive mental health and wellbeing. The findings on
parent-child relationships, from Gallup’s 2023 Familial and Adolescent Health
Survey, expand on recently published research that found social media use is high among U.S.
teenagers and associated with poor mental health and less parental regulation of
screen time. Another study in this series found that warm, disciplined parenting practices and
high-quality parent-child relationships predict better mental health among
teens. Child’s
Age, Parents’ Political Ideology Among Factors in Relationship Ratings Gallup asked parents and
caretakers to describe the overall quality of their relationship with a child
from their household. For caretakers with more than one child in the
household, the parent was asked to select the child with the next birthday.
Response options ranged from very poor (1) to excellent (5). The majority of
U.S. parents/caretakers report an excellent relationship (60%), with only 1%
describing it as poor or very poor. Both the parent’s and the
child’s sex are unrelated to the parent’s assessment of the overall quality
of the relationship. That is, fathers and mothers evaluate relationships with
their children similarly, as do parents of girls versus boys. Measures of socioeconomic
status, such as education, household income, race or ethnicity, also do not
predict higher- or lower-quality relationships. Ratings depend greatly on
the age of the child, however. When talking about their toddler (aged 3 and
4), 80% of parents rate the relationship as excellent, compared with only 48%
of parents asked about their teenager (aged 13-19). Other parental
characteristics are also associated with the quality of their relationships
with their child, including parental marital status, genetic relatedness, and
the quality of their relationship with their spouse or partner, which was
asked of those in a romantic relationship.
Parental political
ideology is also associated with child relationship quality. Parents who
self-identify as conservative, ideologically, are somewhat more likely to
report having an excellent relationship with their child (65%) than those who
identify as moderate (58%) or liberal (59%). Previous work from Gallup
finds that conservative parents are more likely to
adopt the parenting practices that
best predict youth mental health and foster high-quality relationships. The
style has been described as authoritative and is characterized by warm
responsiveness combined with limit-setting and discipline. There are no differences
between liberals and conservatives on the items, “I respond quickly to my
child’s needs” or “I hug or kiss my child every day,” but there are large
differences on items pertaining to limit-setting, such as “My child completes
the priorities I set for them before they are allowed to play or relax” and
“I set well-established rules for my child.” Conservative parents are
significantly more likely than liberal or moderate parents to express
agreement with these statements, and significantly less likely to agree with
the statements, “I have a hard time saying 'no' to my child” and “I find it
difficult to discipline my child.”
Six
in 10 Parents Say They Have an Affectionate, Warm Relationship With Child Parents were also asked to
what extent they agree that they “share an affectionate, warm relationship
with [their] child.” Similar to responses about
having an excellent relationship, about six in 10 U.S. parents (62%) agree
with this statement. Education, household income, and race or ethnicity were
not significant factors on this measure either -- nor was the sex of the child.
Children's
Ratings Similar to Parents’ Ratings With Some Key Differences Adolescent children were
asked to rate their relationships with their parents on a 0 to 10 scale,
where 10 is the strongest and most loving relationship they can imagine, and
0 is the weakest and least loving. These ratings tended to be higher when
parental ratings were higher. Across adolescents, 70% rated their
relationship as high-quality (at least an 8 out of 10), and 8% rated their
relationship as a 5 or below. This high-quality share stands at 86% among
adolescents whose parents rated the relationship as excellent. By contrast,
just 33% of adolescents gave this response when their parent/caretaker rated
the relationship as only “fair” or worse. A key difference compared
with the parent-reported results is that boys are much more likely than girls
to report a strong, loving relationship (77% versus 61%), defined as an 8 out
of 10. Also, children of parents
with graduate degrees are somewhat more likely than those with lower levels
of education to report a high-quality relationship. Adolescents in households
with incomes above $175,000 are slightly more likely to have stronger
relationships than households with middle or lower incomes (74% versus 68%).
Youth are much more likely to report a strong relationship with parents when
the parent reports a strong relationship with their spouse/partner (76% of
those who report such a relationship versus 58% for those who do not).
Children of moderate (72%) and conservative parents (71%) are more likely to
report a strong, loving relationship than children of liberal parents (64%). Several parental
characteristics are unrelated to how adolescents reported the quality of
their relationship, including marital status, whether the child is
biologically related to the caretaker, and parental sex.
Experiences
With Conflict and Control Vary Across Characteristic Groups The survey also asked
parents about more contentious aspects of their relationship, including level
of agreement on a 1 to 5 scale with the following statements.
Responses were coded as
expressing agreement if the parents chose either of the top two response
options (strongly agree or agree). While parents report a
stronger overall relationship with their youngest children, they do not
report that teenagers become more easily angry with them; if anything,
parents are less likely to argue with teenagers than with younger children.
Parents are slightly more likely to report frequently arguing with children
aged 5-8 than with teenagers. Moreover, parents of
children younger than 10 are about twice as likely to say their child is
frequently out of control. Parents are also more likely to report that boys
are out of control compared with girls (9% versus 5%). Parents with incomes of at
least $60,000 per year are less likely to report that their child is
frequently out of control (6%) compared with those who have household incomes
below $60,000 per year (10%). There are no differences between Black,
Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White parents in reports of whether children are
frequently out of control, with Asian parents reporting somewhat lower rates.
White parents are more likely to report frequent arguments. The political ideology of
parents is unrelated to parental perceptions of whether the child is out of
control but significantly correlated with parental reports of the child
becoming easily angered and the frequency of arguments. Liberal parents are
the most likely to say their child is easily angered (21%). This compares
with 17% of moderate parents and 14% of conservative parents. Liberal parents
are also slightly more likely to report that they argue with the child
frequently (15%), compared with 12% of moderates and 13% of conservatives. Parents who enjoy a strong
relationship with their spouse or romantic partner are much more likely than
those who do not to avoid arguments with their child, and they are much less
likely to report that their child is easily angered or frequently out of control. Stepparents and adoptive
parents are much more likely than parents with a biological relationship to
report that their child is easily angered, but stepparents are the least
likely to frequently argue with the child. Grandparents and other family
members are relatively unlikely to argue with the child they care for, but --
with the exception of adoptive parents (16%) -- they are more likely than
other caretakers to report that the child is frequently out of control (10%). Parental marital status is
unrelated to reports of anger or the frequency of arguments, but married
parents are significantly less likely
than divorced or never-married parents to report that their child is
frequently out of control.
Bottom
Line Given the importance of
children to parents and parents to children, a high-quality relationship is
important to the wellbeing of both. Children in a high-quality relationship
with their parents are much less likely to show signs of depression, anxiety
or suicidal ideation, and generally exhibit behaviors associated with
positive social development, according to the research literature. Moreover,
these benefits predict stronger mental health decades into
the future, as discussed
in Gallup’s recent work. The lack of notable
differences by race, ethnicity, income and education indicate that
high-quality relationships can be consistently achieved in a wide range of
social circumstances, which is consistent with previous findings in this
series that parental practices are largely unrelated to
these characteristics. The relatively strong
relationships exhibited by more conservative parents could shed light on why
other scholars have found that liberal children are at higher risk of
experiencing the symptoms associated with mental health disorders. As found
in this survey, conservative parents are more likely than other parents
to adopt disciplined and structured parenting
practices. These include
limit-setting and the consistent enforcement of rules, which have been found
conducive to adolescent health and psychological development when combined
with parental warmth and responsiveness, which liberal parents are just as
likely to report practicing. Parents and leaders around the country may want
to consider steps to promote these practices in their own families and in
their communities. (Gallup USA) 10 January 2024 Source:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/548381/quality-parent-child-relationships-families.aspx
829-833-43-24/Polls Biden's Third-Year Job Approval Average Of 39.8% Second
Worst
During President Joe
Biden’s third full year in office, spanning Jan. 20, 2023, to Jan. 19, 2024,
an average of 39.8% of Americans approved of his job performance. Among prior
presidents in the Gallup polling era who were elected to their first term,
only Jimmy Carter fared worse in his third year. Carter averaged 37.4%
approval in a year in which gas prices soared, inflation reached double
digits and Iranian militants took U.S. citizens hostage. Donald Trump, Barack
Obama, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon also had sub-50%
third-year averages. Dwight Eisenhower’s 72.1% is the highest for a
third-year president.
Biden’s third-year average
was lower than both his first-year (48.9%) and second-year (41.0%) averages. Though better than
his third-year average, his first- and second-year ratings also ranked as the
second lowest for recent presidents, ahead of only Trump in both years. Biden registered new
personal lows of 37% job approval in April, October and November 2023 surveys. Gallup’s latest job
approval rating for Biden, from a Jan. 2-22 survey, is 41%, while 54%
disapprove of how he is performing his job. Since September 2021, after the troubled withdrawal of U.S.
troops from Afghanistan, Biden’s approval rating has ranged from the high 30s
to low 40s. Before that, during the first six months of his presidency, he
enjoyed majority-level approval ratings.
The new Gallup poll finds
83% of Democrats, 35% of independents and 6% of Republicans approving of the
job Biden is doing, consistent with his recent job approval ratings by party. About
Half of Recent Presidents Saw Improved Ratings in Fourth Year A key question for Biden,
as he seeks reelection, is whether his job approval rating can be expected to
improve this year. The historical evidence is mixed, based on a comparison of
elected presidents’ third- and fourth-year job approval averages.
The data indicate that
presidents who successfully won reelection were close to -- or exceeded --
50% approval during their fourth year in office. Biden’s
Ratings Continue to Be Among the Most Polarized During Biden’s third year
in office, an average of 83% of Democrats and 5% of Republicans approved of
the job he was doing, a 78-point party gap. Among third-year presidents, only
Trump had greater party splits in his job approval ratings, averaging 82 points.
The increase in party
polarization of presidential job approval ratings is underscored by the
average 37-point partisan gap for presidents through the elder Bush, compared
with 69 points for presidents in the past 30 years. This change has largely
been fueled by increasingly lower job approval ratings from supporters of the
opposition party, which now typically register in the single digits but were
closer to 30% in the past. Biden’s third-year party
figures duplicate those from his second year in office and tie as the fifth
most polarized annual average for any president. Trump’s fourth year,
covering most of 2020 and early 2021, holds the record for the biggest
average party gap in job approval ratings. That year, 91% of Republicans and
6% of Democrats approved of the job he was doing. Together, Biden and Trump,
the likely opponents in this year’s presidential election, account for the
six most polarized presidential years. Trump’s first year, when fewer
Republicans approved of him than did so later in his term, ranks 10th.
Bottom
Line Biden begins his
reelection campaign with a job approval rating significantly below the 50%
mark that has been associated with winning a second term. And while some
presidents have seen sharp improvements in their fourth year and won a second
term, Biden’s third-year rating was worse than any of theirs, suggesting he
has a bigger hill to climb. The president may see some
modest gains in approval if the Democrats who disapprove of him come back
into the fold. That pattern typically occurs in a presidential election year
-- among prior presidents, all but the two Bushes saw higher ratings from their
party’s supporters in their third than fourth year in office. However, the key to
Biden’s winning reelection may lie more in convincing a larger share of
independents that he is doing a good job and is deserving of a second term.
His approval rating among independents has mostly been below 40% since the
fall of 2021 but was above 50% during the honeymoon phase of his presidency. (Gallup Pakistan) 25 January 2024 Source:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/609188/biden-third-year-job-approval-average-second-worst.aspx
829-833-43-25/Polls Economic Mood Improves, But Inflation Still Vexing
Americans
While still negative
overall, Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index has improved each of the past two
months to its highest point in two years, reflecting improved views of both
current economic conditions and the economy’s direction. However, a steady
majority of Americans continue to say recent price increases have created
financial hardship for them. Economic
Confidence Improves to Highest Level in Two Years, but Still Low Gallup tracks Americans'
monthly ratings of national economic conditions and their views on whether
the economy is getting better or worse. The combined responses are used to
create the Gallup Economic Confidence Index (ECI), which has a theoretical
range of +100 (if all respondents say the economy is excellent or good and
that it is getting better) to -100 (if all say it is poor and getting worse). The latest index score,
from a Jan. 2-22 poll, is up by six points from last month and 14 points
since November to -26, the highest since January 2022. The index has been in
mostly negative territory since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
It fell to -58 in June 2022, marking the worst reading since the Great
Recession, as inflation reached its highest point in more than 40 years and
gas prices set new records. Since then, it has fluctuated, showing modest signs of improvement last summer before worsening again.
The recent uptick in
confidence comes at a time when national economic indicators are generally
seen as solid or improving. Unemployment remains low, gross domestic product
is beating expectations, the inflation rate is down from its high point, and
the stock market -- which continues to surge -- hit a new high at the end of
the latest poll’s field period. Americans
Slightly More Optimistic About Current Economic Conditions, Outlook Though still in negative
territory, Americans’ views of both components of the ECI -- current
conditions and the economy’s trajectory -- have improved modestly. The largest share of
Americans, 45%, rate current economic conditions in the country as poor,
while just over one-quarter describe conditions as excellent (5%) or good
(22%) and another 29% believe they are only fair. In December, 22% of U.S.
adults rated the economy as excellent or good.
Currently, 63% of
Americans say the economy is getting worse, 30% say it is improving, and 4%
think it is staying the same. Last month, 68% of Americans thought the
economy was worsening.
The latest changes in
Americans’ views of the economy and its trajectory are mainly owed to
Democrats’ increased positivity. Democrats’ rating of the economy as
excellent or good rose from 38% in December to 54% this month. Likewise, the
percentage of Democrats saying the economy is getting better increased from
54% to 64% over the same period. At the same time, neither Republicans’ nor
independents’ views changed significantly. Few Republicans, 8%, currently
rate the economy as excellent or good, while the 21% of independents who
offer the same rating is closer to the national average. Inflation
Continues to Affect a Majority of Americans Despite modest
improvements in Americans’ views of the national economic situation, there
has been little change in the percentage who characterize recent price
increases as a personal hardship. Data from a nationally
representative Jan. 2-16 web survey using Gallup's probability-based panel
show 63% of U.S. adults say recent price increases have caused financial
hardship for their family. This includes 17% who say it is a severe hardship
affecting their ability to maintain their standard of living and 46% who
report it is a moderate hardship but does not jeopardize their standard of
living. Another 37% of Americans say inflation is not a hardship at all. The current 63% saying
rising prices are a personal hardship reflects a continuation of peak concern
on this measure since Gallup started monitoring it in November 2021. In that
initial reading, 45% reported a severe or moderate hardship. The rate inched
up in 2022 even as inflation ebbed, perhaps reflecting the cumulative effect
of higher prices rather than the rate itself.
Inflation’s
Impact ‘Severe’ for Three in 10 Lower-Income Households As has been the case in
previous readings, Americans’ reports of high prices as a hardship have
differed significantly based on annual household income. Those in
lower-income households (76%) are more likely than those in middle-income
households (64%) and higher-income households (54%) to say price increases
are causing them hardship. However, income differences are even more
pronounced when looking just at those saying the impact is severe. Lower-income Americans (30%) are
three times as likely as high-income adults (10%) and almost twice as likely
as middle-income adults (16%) to characterize high prices as a severe
hardship. Americans’ reports of the
effects of high prices also differ significantly by party, with Republicans
and independents describing the situation more negatively than Democrats. In
all, 72% of Republicans and 64% of independents say inflation has been a hardship
for them, compared with 51% of Democrats. Bottom
Line As the presidential
election year gets underway, Americans -- primarily Democrats -- are feeling
more optimistic about the economy even as they are still feeling the sting of
higher prices. The uptick in economic confidence coincides with a 41% job approval rating for Joe Biden, who averaged 39.8% in
2023. Still, views of the
economy remain largely negative, particularly among Republicans and
independents, which could spell trouble for Biden as he seeks reelection. (Gallup Pakistan) 30 January 2024 Source:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/609221/economic-mood-improves-inflation-vexing-americans.aspx
829-833-43-26/Polls Few Americans Know How Much Their Healthcare Costs
Seventeen percent of U.S.
adults report they know how much their healthcare products or services will
cost before receiving them. Results are similar across key demographic
groups, including by race/ethnicity, gender, age, education level, geographic
region and health insurance coverage status, suggesting a societywide lack of
awareness about one’s healthcare costs, regardless of personal background. Results for the Bentley-Gallup Business in Society
Report are based on
web survey responses collected May 8-15, 2023, from 5,458 U.S. adults via the
Gallup Panel. Most
Believe Costs for Products and Services Should Be Clearer While fewer than one in
five Americans report they know the cost of their healthcare products or
services before receiving them, 95% believe healthcare organizations should
make these costs more transparent before providing care. Results are
consistent across all major subgroups of the U.S. adult population.
Americans
Are Negative About the Quality of Care Respective to Cost Most Americans do not
believe the quality of the healthcare products and services they receive
reflects the cost they pay for their care. Only about three in 10 feel the
cost of their healthcare products and services reflects the quality of those
products and services, and attitudes are similar across subgroups of the U.S.
adult population.
Bottom
Line Americans’ concerns about
the transparency of their healthcare costs are reported amid record
healthcare spending. Federal reports indicate that U.S. healthcare spending
grew by 4.1% in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion or $13,493 per person. At the
same time, a record-high percentage of Americans
report they have had to put off their medical care due to cost. Results from the
Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report suggest that Americans are
increasingly wanting, but are lacking, important information about the costs
of their healthcare services, even as prices continue to rise. (Gallup USA) 31 January 2024 Source:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/609434/few-americans-know-healthcare-costs.aspx
829-833-43-27/Polls U.S. Centenarian Population Is Projected To Quadruple Over
The Next 30 Years
The number of Americans
ages 100 and older is projected to more than quadruple over the next three
decades, from an estimated 101,000 in 2024 to about 422,000 in 2054,
according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau. Centenarians currently
make up just 0.03% of the overall U.S. population, and they are expected to
reach 0.1% in 2054.
The number of centenarians
in the United States has steadily ticked up since 1950, when the Census
Bureau estimates there were just 2,300 Americans ages 100 and older. (The
Census Bureau uses calculated estimates for years prior to the 1990 census
because it has identified large errors in the census
counts of centenarians for
those years.) In the last three decades
alone, the U.S. centenarian population has nearly tripled. The 1990 census
counted around 37,000 centenarians in the country. How
we did this Today, women and White
adults make up the vast majority of Americans in their 100s. This trend is
largely projected to continue, though their shares will decrease:
The U.S. population overall is expected to
trend older in the
coming decades as life expectancies increase and the birth rate declines.
There are currently roughly 62 million adults ages 65 and older living in the
U.S., accounting for 18% of the population. By 2054, 84 million adults ages
65 and older will make up an estimated 23% of the population. Even as the 65-and-older
population continues to grow over the next 30 years, those in their 100s are
projected to roughly double as a percentage of that age group, increasing
from 0.2% of all older Americans in 2024 to 0.5% in 2054. Centenarians
around the world
The world is home to an
estimated 722,000 centenarians, according to the United Nations’ population
projections for 2024. The U.S. centenarian population is the world’s second
largest – the UN estimates it at 108,000, slightly larger than the Census
Bureau’s estimate. Japan is the country with
the greatest number of people in their 100s, at 146,000. China (60,000),
India (48,000) and Thailand (38,000) round out the top five. In each of these
countries, centenarians make up less than 1% of the overall population, but
combined, they account for more than half (55%) of the world’s population
ages 100 and older. Looked at another way,
centenarians make up a bigger proportion of the total population in Japan,
Thailand and the U.S., and smaller shares in China and India, which have
large but relatively young populations. There are about 12 centenarians for
every 10,000 people in Japan, five for every 10,000 in Thailand and three for
every 10,000 in the U.S. That compares with fewer than one centenarian for
every 10,000 people in China and India. By 2054, the global
centenarian population is projected to grow to nearly 4 million. China is
expected to have the largest number of centenarians, with 767,000, followed
by the U.S., India, Japan and Thailand. As a proportion, centenarians are
projected to account for about 49 out of every 10,000 people in Thailand, 40
of every 10,000 in Japan and 14 of every 10,000 in the U.S. Six out of every
10,000 people in China will be centenarians, as will about two of every
10,000 in India.
(PEW) 09 January 2024
829-833-43-28/Polls Around 4 In 10 Americans Have Become More Spiritual Over
Time; Fewer Have Become More Religious
Most Americans are spiritual or religious in some way and many also say their spirituality
and level of religiosity have changed over time. But Americans are far more
likely to say they have become more spiritual than
to say they have become more religious,
according to a new analysis of a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
Some 41% of U.S. adults
say they have grown more spiritual over the course of their lifetime,
compared with 24% who say they have become more religious. In contrast, 13% of U.S.
adults say they have become less spiritual over time, while 33% say they have
become less religious. The rest say their
spirituality and level of religiosity have either stayed the same or
fluctuated – sometimes increasing and at other times decreasing. We asked respondents how
their spirituality and religiosity have changed as part of a wider U.S. study that explored the concept of
spirituality and how it differs from religion. We did not define the words
“spiritual” or “religious” in the survey, nor did we ask whether any changes
in spirituality or religiosity were part of a gradual long-term shift, a
sudden dramatic one or something else. However, the broader study
did ask respondents to describe, in their own words, what the word “spirituality” means to them. Roughly a quarter gave descriptions tied
to organized religion – for example, citing a belief in God, Jesus, the Holy
Spirit or other elements of Christian theology. About a third of
respondents offered responses that we categorized as “beliefs in something
else,” such as belief in a higher power or belief in the unseen or
otherworldly. Which
Americans have become more spiritual – or less? Evangelical Protestants
(55%) and members of the historically Black Protestant tradition (53%) are
especially likely to say they have become more spiritual over the course of
their lifetime. Few in those groups say they have become less spiritual. On the other hand, among
religiously unaffiliated Americans, 28% say their spirituality has grown over
time, while 25% say it has declined. Religiously unaffiliated Americans are
those who say they are atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” Atheists
in particular stand out: Just 9% say they have become more spiritual over
time, while 49% say they have become less spiritual.
Differences
by age In all age groups we
analyzed, respondents are more likely to say they have become more spiritual
over time than to say the opposite. However, the differences
are starker among older Americans. For example, among those who are 65 and
older, 45% say they have become more spiritual over time, while only 8% say
they have become less spiritual. Among U.S. adults under 30, by comparison,
30% have become more spiritual and 20% have become less so. Which
Americans have become more religious – or less? Some 47% of evangelical
Protestants say they have become more religious over time – a higher share
than among any other religious group analyzed. Members of historically Black
Protestant churches also are especially likely to say they have become more
religious. Far fewer evangelicals
(17%) and members of the historically Black Protestant tradition (14%) say
they have become less religious over time. Catholics and mainline
Protestants are more divided, with roughly similar shares in each group
saying they have become more religious and less religious over time. At the other end of the
spectrum, Jewish adults (13%) are the least likely of the religiously
affiliated groups analyzed to say they have become more religious over time,
with a far larger share (29%) saying they have become less religious. A slight majority of
religiously unaffiliated adults say they have become less religious over the
course of their lifetime. That includes roughly similar shares of atheists
(74%) and agnostics (71%) and about half (51%) of those who describe
themselves religiously as “nothing in particular.”
Differences
by age There is a clear pattern
by age: Older Americans are more likely to say they have become more
religious over time, while younger Americans are more likely to say they have
become less religious. For example, among
Americans 65 and older, 33% say they have grown more religious over their
lifetime while 24% have become less religious. Among U.S. adults under 30,
the pattern is reversed: 15% say they have become more religious, while 42%
have become less religious. (PEW) 17 January 2024
829-833-43-29/Polls Most Americans Say Elected Officials Should Avoid Heated Or
Aggressive Speech
Seven-in-ten Americans say
elected officials should avoid heated or aggressive language because it could
encourage some people to take violent action. By contrast, 29% say officials
should be able to use heated language without worrying about how some people
may act.
There are sizable partisan
differences in these opinions, with Democrats more likely than Republicans to
say elected officials should avoid heated language. A
narrow majority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (56%) say
elected officials should avoid heated or aggressive language,
while 43% say officials should be able to express themselves with this kind
of language without worrying about whether people may act on what they say.
Republicans today are more likely than in 2019 to see the use of heated or
aggressive language by elected officials as acceptable: In 2019, 37% said
officials should be able to use this kind of language. By contrast, the vast majority of Democrats and
Democratic-leaning independents (83%) say elected officials should avoid
using heated language, while 16% say officials should be able to
use this kind of language without worrying about how some people might act.
There has been no change in views among Democrats since 2019. How
we did this In addition to the wide
partisan gap on this question, there are some notable demographic
differences, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center, conducted Jan.
16-21 among 5,140 adults: Gender
Women are 7 percentage
points more likely than men to say elected officials should avoid heated
language (73% vs. 66%). This overall gender gap is driven primarily by
differences among Republicans.
Age At least two-thirds of
U.S. adults in all age groups say elected officials should avoid heated
language. But there are some modest age differences within partisan groups,
particularly among Democrats.
Education Adults who have at least a
bachelor’s degree are more likely than those with less formal education to
say elected officials should avoid the use of heated or aggressive language
because it could encourage violence (77% vs. 66%). This pattern holds more among
Democrats than Republicans.
Do
views differ when asked about ‘political candidates’ rather than ‘elected
officials’?
Americans hold nearly
identical views about the acceptability of “political candidates” using
heated or aggressive language and the acceptability of “elected officials”
doing so. The same is true among
partisans: Slim majorities of Republicans say political candidates (54%) and
elected officials (56%) should not use heated language. And nearly identical
shares of Democrats say political candidates (85%) and elected officials
(83%) should avoid heated language. (PEW) 31 January 2024
829-833-43-30/Polls By A Wide Margin, Americans Say Football – Not Baseball –
Is ‘America’s Sport’
Baseball is known as “America’s favorite pastime.” But for the largest share of the U.S.
public, football is “America’s sport,” according to a recent Pew Research
Center survey.
In August 2023, we asked
nearly 12,000 U.S. adults the following question: “If you had to choose one
sport as being ‘America’s sport,’ even if you don’t personally follow it,
which sport would it be?” The question was part of a broader survey about sports fandom in the
United States. More than half of
Americans (53%) say America’s sport is football – about twice the share who
say it’s baseball (27%). Much smaller shares choose one of the other four
sports we asked about: basketball (8%), soccer (3%), auto racing (3%) or
hockey (1%). We also included the
option for Americans to write in another sport. The most common answers
volunteered were golf, boxing, rodeo and ice skating. Other respondents used
the opportunity to have some fun: Among the more creative answers we received
were “competitive eating,” “grievance politics,” “reality TV” and “cow
tipping.” How
we did this In
every demographic group, football tops the list In every major demographic
group, football is the most common choice when the public is asked to
identify America’s sport. It tops the list for men and women, for older and
younger adults, and for White, Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans alike. Still, some demographic
differences emerge for certain sports. For instance, White Americans are more
likely than other racial or ethnic groups to say the national sport is
baseball, while Hispanic Americans are more likely than other groups to say
it’s soccer. Black and Asian Americans, in turn, are more likely than White
and Hispanic Americans to say America’s sport is basketball. In each of these
racial and ethnic groups, however, by far the largest share of people say the
national sport is football. Most
Americans don’t closely follow sports Just because Americans see
football as the national sport doesn’t mean they’ve been closely following
the NFL season leading up to this weekend’s Super Bowl LVIII. Most U.S. adults (62%) say
they follow professional or college sports not too or not at all closely, and a similar share (63%) say they talk
about sports with other people just a few times a month or less often,
according to the Center’s August survey. In fact, only 7% of adults are what
might be called sports “superfans” – people who follow sports extremely
or very closely and talk
about sports with other people at least every day. (PEW) 05 February 2024
829-833-43-31/Polls Seven In 10 (71%) Say It's Time For Another Party To Take
Over In Ottawa As Canadians Warm To Poilievre
Canadians increasingly
believe that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre would make the best prime
minister of Canada, up 5 points since the fall of 2022. Poilievre now leads
current prime minister Trudeau by 10 points. Over the same timeframe,
Canadians have warmed to Poilievre, as favourable impressions towards him
have increased by 12 points. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is the most well-liked
leader (45%, up 7 points), but that likeability isn’t translating into
votes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s favourability finds him in third
position (36%, +1), and the leader who has improved the least.
Compared to September
2023, more (71%, +5) now believe that it’s time for another federal party to
take over in Ottawa, while fewer (29%, -5) believe the Trudeau’s government
deserves re-election. (Ipsos Canada) 29 January 2024 Source:
https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/seven-in-10-say-its-time-for-another-party-to-take-over-in-ottawa
829-833-43-32/Polls Canadians Fear For The Impacts Of Another Trump Term As
U.S. Election 2024 Looms
The 2024 American
Presidential election looks starkly familiar to the 2020 edition, as it is
expected that Joe Biden and Donald Trump will represent the Democratic and
Republican Parties respectively. For Canadians, a repeat outcome from 2020
would be welcome, while a Trump victory has many predicting dire consequences
for both sides of the 49th parallel. New data from the
non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds two-thirds of Canadians concerned
American democracy will not be able to survive another four years of Trump at
the helm. Trump himself has publicly mused about his plans for “retribution” if he wins again, after being impeached
twice in his first four years and continuing to claim that the last election
was “rigged” against him. In this report – the first
in a three-part series looking at the state of democracy in Canada and the
United States – half of Canadians say they worry that their southern
neighbour could be on the way to becoming an authoritarian state,
something recent studies have suggested as a growing global
trend. In terms of domestic
impacts, Canadians are three times as likely to say that a Biden victory
would be better for the Canadian economy (53%) than a Trump win (18%). A
significant number (29%) aren’t convinced it would matter either way for
Canada. The same trends are true when considering each outcome and the impact
on Canada’s defense agreements with the U.S., global peace and security, and
the overall Canada-U.S. relationship, with most saying Biden would be better
for Canada, and the rest divided between indifference or a preference for
Trump. As observers cast their
gaze toward November and the electoral contest to come, Canadians join many Americans in worrying about election security.
Just 12 per cent of Canadians say they have full confidence that elections
will be safe and secure, while twice as many (23%) say they have no
confidence at all. Another two-in-five have doubts (38%), with 27 per cent
also saying they’re more confident than not. Among those who lack
confidence, half (49%) say both Republican and Democratic states are a source
of concern, while the rest are twice as likely to say they’re primarily
worried about Red States (34%) rather than Blue ones (17%).
More
Key Findings:
INDEX Part
One: Canadians see Biden as better for their interests
Part
Two: Concerns over safeguards to American elections Part
Three: The state of the States
Coming
next Part
One: Canadians see Biden as better for their interests The 2024 U.S. election has
been described as the “battle for America’s soul”. Already the election is mired in
controversy as the Supreme Court deliberates on whether or not Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican
nomination, can be struck
from the ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Attack.
Trump has warned that “it’ll be bedlam in the country” if it’s ruled he is unable to run to
return to the Oval Office. Consequences
for U.S. viewed as dire if Trump wins Many Canadians worry that
if Trump runs and wins, the U.S. will be worse for it. Three-in-five (62%)
believe America will be “much worse” if Trump wins the 2024 election. A
handful of one-in-five (22%) disagree and believe the U.S. will be better off
if the former president wins again. In the scenario that Biden
wins a second term in office, Canadians lean towards believing the U.S. will
be better (34%) than worse (28%), but one-third (33%) expect extending
Biden’s presidency won’t have an effect either way:
Biden
win viewed as more beneficial to Canada Despite some ambivalence
to the effect a second Biden term will have on the U.S., Canadians are more
likely to view a Biden win as the best-case scenario for their own country.
Majorities believe a second Biden term will be better for Canada’s relationship
with the U.S. (64%), global peace and stability (60%), defence agreements
between the two countries (57%) and the Canadian economy (53%). Half believe
a Biden victory is preferred to a Trump one when it comes to security along
the U.S.-Canada border (48%) and Canada’s reputation on the world stage
(48%). On each measure at least
one-in-five believe neither candidate would make a difference, while Trump is
seen as the better option on each front by between one-in-seven and
one-quarter of Canadians:
Biden
viewed as more stable for Canada-U.S. relationship Few across the country
believe Trump is the better option when it comes to the overall relationship
between Canada and the U.S. Albertans (26%) and those living in Saskatchewan
(33%) are most likely to believe this is the case, though still at a minority
level:
Political
perspectives on better economic bet Past Conservative voters
are more skeptical when it comes to a potential second Biden term and its
effect on the Canadian economy. Trump is viewed as the best choice on that
front by a plurality of those who voted CPC in 2021 (37%). Past Liberal (78%)
and NDP (68%) voters overwhelmingly view another Biden term as the preferred
option for Canada’s economy:
Part
Two: Concerns over safeguards to American elections Democracy in the United
States has been shaken in recent elections by claims of voter fraud. The
genesis of many of these claims is former President Donald Trump, who alleged
thousands of ballots in the swing state of Georgia were fraudulent, costing him the presidency
in the 2020 election.
These claims and allegations have been widely debunked, though there are ongoing court cases still unsettled regarding the security of voting
machines used in Georgia. There are evidently many
Canadians who have their doubt about the security and safety of American
elections. One-quarter say they are “not confident at all” that the 2024
election is secure against fraud and cheating. Nearly as many say they have
doubts (38%) as express confidence (39%) that the necessary safeguards are in
place to ensure a fair election. Past CPC voters are less
confident the 2024 election will be secure than past NDP and Liberal voters,
but confidence does not rise to a majority level among any group of past
voters:
Majorities of all age
groups are not confident the 2024 election is safeguarded against fraud, but
it is women aged 35 to 54 who are the most likely to express no confidence
this year’s American election is protected from cheating (see detailed tables). Further, for those who
have their doubts about the security of the 2024 American election, one-third
are worried the vulnerabilities are widespread. Three-in-ten (28%) believe
most states’ ballots are at risk. Two-in-five (37%) believe just a handful of
states do not have the safeguards in place to ensure a fair election. Again,
it is 35- to 54-year-old women who express the most concern:
Canadians concerned the
2024 election may not be conducted fairly appear to be more suspicious of Red
states than Blue ones. One-third (34%) of those who are not confident the
2024 election is safeguarded against fraud believe cheating is more likely to
happen in states controlled by Republicans, twice the number of those (17%)
who believe states controlled by Democrats are more at risk. Half (49%)
believe states controlled by both parties are at risk. Past CPC voters are more
likely to believe cheating in the 2024 election is more likely to happen in
Democratic states, while majorities of past NDP (56%) and Liberal (56%)
voters believe election fraud is more likely to be in Republican-controlled
states:
Part
Three: The state of the States As another pivotal
election nears in the United States, Canadians were asked to assess their
southern neighbour on a number of fronts. On more measures than not,
Canadians are critical of America. Seven-in-ten (68%) view the U.S. as a
prosperous country. Canadians are split on whether or not the U.S. is a
positive force for good globally but lean towards believing that’s not the
case. Majorities believe Americans do not have a good system of government
(65%), is not a caring society (65%) and is a country that is on the wrong
track (63%). Three-in-five (62%) say the values of the United States are not
their own (see detailed tables). Canadians
see U.S. backsliding on rule of law, democratic principles Meanwhile, Canadians are
also critical of the standing of democratic pillars south of the 49th
parallel. Two-in-five (44%) feel politics is becoming more exclusionary in
the United States, double the number who disagree. Majorities feel elections
are becoming less free and fair in the U.S. (61%), protections on human
rights are weakening (65%), the power is becoming less vested in the people
(60%) and the rule of law is not being equally applied (71%) in that country
(see detailed tables). Is
the ‘American Age’ over? The dominance of the
United States on the global stage over matters of trade, diplomacy,
economics, and culture has led some historians to classify most of the last
100 years as the American Age. That dominance is viewed as waning in recent years in the wake of
internal turmoil in the U.S. and the increasing power of China on the global
stage. A majority (55%) of
Canadians are of the view that either America’s time of global dominance is
already over or will pass soon. However, two-in-five (40%) believe the end is
not nigh for the American Age, while one-in-20 (6%) believe there will be no
end to American hegemony. There has been slight shifts in this opinion in the
two years since ARI first asked this question. In 2022, Canadians were
slightly more likely to believe the American Age would soon be over, if it
wasn’t already:
At issue for many
Canadians appears to be a worry of the effect of a second Trump presidency. A
majority of Canadians feel democracy would be severely weakened by another
four years of Trump. This is the overwhelming view of past Liberal and NDP
voters, but a smaller proportion of those who voted Conservative in 2021.
Further, a majority (64%)
of Canadians believe American democracy “cannot survive” another four years
with Trump as president. Past CPC voters are less likely to hold this view (see detailed tables). Four more years of Biden
is much less likely to be viewed by Canadians as a detriment to American
democracy, but it isn’t viewed as a significant benefit, either. The
plurality view (44%) is a second Biden term will have no impact either way on
democracy in the United States. Nearly as many feel it will have a negative
effect on democracy in that country (27%) as a positive one (29%). Half (48%) of past
Conservative voters feel Biden winning in 2024 will be damaging to American
democracy, while half (48%) of those who voted Liberal in 2021 believe the
opposite (see detailed tables). Half
see road to authoritarianism The spectre of
authoritarianism hangs over Trump’s pursuit to return to the White House.
Trump has said “retribution” would be part of his agenda if he were to
be re-elected. Half of Canadians (49%) share those fears, believing the U.S.
is “on the way to becoming an authoritarian state,” double the number (26%)
who disagree. Men older than 54 are the most likely to see the U.S. as
treading the path towards authoritarianism (see detailed tables). Majorities of past Liberal (56%) and NDP
(63%) in the 2021 federal election believe authoritarianism is gaining ground
in the United States. Past CPC voters are more divided – two-in-five (40%)
say the U.S. is on the path to authoritarianism; 36 per cent disagree:
(Angus Reid Institute) 15 January 2024 Source:
https://angusreid.org/us-canada-democracy-authoritarianism-trump-biden-2024-presidential-election/
829-833-43-33/Polls Half Of Canadians Under 55 Fear Potential Job Loss,
Majority Say They Have Little Financial Cushion
The Bank of Canada’s
campaign against high inflation appears to have at least decelerated the
rising cost of living, but it remains to be seen if the Canadian economy will
escape this inflationary period with a soft landing or a hard one – i.e. with or without a recession
and significant job losses. In the interim, new data
from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds half of Canadians under 55
worry they will be affected by job loss in the event the economy turns.
Further, a majority of the cohort most worried about job loss are more likely
to have a smaller financial cushion underneath them to soften a potential
blow. A majority of under 55s
say they could not handle a sudden expense of more than $1,000 in the coming
month, including one-quarter of women aged 35- to 54-years-old who say they
can’t manage any unplanned bills because they are “already too stretched”. This lack of wiggle room
also affects many Canadians’ retirement savings planning. Two-in-five say
they don’t contribute to a TFSA or an RRSP because they don’t have anything
left to save. As housing costs continue
rise from this period of high interest rates, renters and mortgage holders
feel squeezed. Majorities in those groups say they don’t have the capacity to
accommodate a sudden expense of anything more than $1,000. Meanwhile, that would
not be an issue for a majority of homeowners who have paid off their
mortgage.
INDEX
Part Two:
Nest eggs and savings
Part
One: Job loss fears Half
of those under 55 worry of job loss The fear of job loss has
stuck with Canadians in recent years, despite the historic low in unemployment that followed the lifting of COVID-19
restrictions. The labour market is softening as consumer spending is already
reaching lows “consistent with prior recessions,” according to one CIBC senior economist. This has resulted in restaurants, retail
stores, hotels and other personal services shedding jobs, which could result
in a “vicious cycle” of further dips in spending and job
losses. Half of Canadians under
the age of 55 worry they could be affected by layoffs because of the economy.
The last time fear of job loss was this high was during the uncertainty of
the beginning of the second year of the pandemic:
Those in Quebec feel the
most secure. Only Manitoba’s unemployment rate was lower than Quebec’s in December, though respondents in the prairie
province express more uncertainty about their future employment. Concerns are
highest in Ontario and B.C., where half worry that they or someone else in
their household could lose a job because of poor economic conditions (see detailed tables). Likely
CPC voters more stressed about money, potential job loss Previously released Angus
Reid Institute data showed economic concerns were pushing many past Liberal voters to look elsewhere
for relief. Those who say
they would vote Conservative or NDP if an election were held today are much
more likely than likely Liberal voters to worry of potential job loss in
their household. CPC and NDP supporters also express elevated concerns about
potentially missing a rent or mortgage payment:
Part
Two: Nest eggs and savings Canadians
report thinner financial cushion than two years ago As the economy cools, and
job loss fears rise, there is also evidence many Canadians little savings to
fall back on. Pandemic restrictions kept
Canadians indoors and away from places they would typically spend disposable
income. This resulted in a significant savings build-up that the Bank of
Canada suspected was fueling the elevated levels of inflation. These excess savings are perhaps evident
in ARI data from two years ago, when half (50%) of Canadians said they could
manage a one-time expense of more than $1,000. Typically, approximately
two-in-five Canadians report readiness at handling such a large one-time
expense. Two years later, with high inflation eroding both Canadians’
savings and purchasing power,
the ability of Canadians to handle an unexpected expense has retreated to
levels consistent with those seen prior to the pandemic:
Majority
of Canadians under 55 could not handle unexpected expense of more than $1,000 Older Canadians are
operating with much larger financial cushions. For those under 55, a majority
say they would not be able to handle a surprise expense of more than $1,000.
Women aged 35 to 54 are the least likely to report being able to handle such
a large sudden expense, and are the most likely to say they couldn’t handle
any unexpected expense as they are “already too stretched”:
Most
renters, mortgage holders could not manage sudden $1,000 expense Housing affordability has
increasingly become a factor across the country in recent years. As rent
payments and mortgage payments have risen with interest rates, renters and
mortgage holders are much more stressed about money than Canadians with no mortgage.
Meanwhile, a majority of homeowners who have paid off their mortgage say they
could handle a one-time unexpected expense of more than $1,000 with no issue.
Approaching half (45%) of renters, and three-in-ten (29%) mortgage holders
say anything more than $250 would break the bank for them:
Two-in-five
typically don’t contribute to TFSA or RRSP Given many Canadians lack
a financial cushion, it is perhaps unsurprising that two-in-five say they
don’t contribute to a TFSA or RRSP annually. Indeed, the majority reason
Canadians aren’t contributing this year is because “they don’t have enough to
save”. (See detailed tables). Just one-in-ten say they are
contributing the maximum amount to their TFSA or RRSP in a typical year while
around one-in-five are contributing less than half of their allowable limit:
Many Canadians under 44
don’t contribute to a TFSA or RRSP, despite being in the prime of their
working lives as they feel the pressure from the effects of inflation
and high shelter costs:
(Angus Reid Institute) 01 February 2024 Source:
https://angusreid.org/canada-recession-job-loss-savings-tfsa-rrsp/ AUSTRALIA
829-833-43-34/Polls 79% Of Australians Say They Still Engage In COVID Safe
Behaviours Four Years On
On 30 January 2020,
the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared
the coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This became a
life-changing event that quickly changed the way people around the world
lived day-to-day. Recent YouGov Surveys data has found that, four years on,
most Australians (79%) are still practicing habits that they picked up during
the pandemic. For many Australians, the
risk and fear of contracting the COVID-19 disease has somewhat subsided, four
years later. However, 32% of respondents expressed that they were still
concerned with contracting the disease, and more than a third (37%) of all
Australians still read and are up-to-date with COVID-19 cases domestically or
internationally. Unsurprisingly, the way
most Australians live their life today still reflects the impacts of the
pandemic. 57% of Australians still
consistently use hand sanitiser (compared to 74% original adopters), and 43%
(compared to 61%) still take a COVID-19 test when experiencing symptoms or
when they’ve come into contact with someone who has the disease. A further 23%
still wipe down surfaces before touching them (compared to 45%). There are, however, some
widely adopted preventative health practices during the pandemic that have
now become much less common. This includes social distancing from others (21%
still do this compared to 68%), wearing a facemask when in public (15% vs. 70%)
and avoiding public transport (13% vs 40%).
Australians are also still
practicing adopted social and work behaviours. Outdoor socialisation, like
taking walks outside, going for picnics or exercising with family and friends
remains commonplace (20% vs 40%). Working and studying remotely has also remained
routine (15% vs 29%), as is attending virtual work meetings (13% vs 25%),
although these numbers have reduced to half in these four years. Across the generations,
one in four (25%) Millennials are the most likely to say they still work or
study remotely. Behaviours that are now
less routine include attending virtual social events (10% vs 34%) and
refraining from dining in at restaurants (9% vs 53%).
Catherine Kretzmann,
YouGov Associate Director said, “The way Australians live their lives today
reflects the impact of the pandemic, with many behaviours that were adopted
four years ago remaining. They have been proven to not just have been
necessary COVID-19 band-aids, but also to a new way of life for many
Australians.” For many Australians, the
impacts brought on during the pandemic were not all negative, with many
saying that the changes have had a positive impact on their lives. 27% of
Australians say they now prioritise exercise and being active; 22% picked up
a new hobby during lock-down that they otherwise wouldn’t have; and 32% of
workers say that being able to work remotely has also had a positive impact. 45% of Australians even
expressed that they enjoyed being in lockdown and having a slower paced life. In light of this, over
three quarters of Australians (77%) say they feel prepared for another global
health pandemic if it occurred within their lifetime. (YouGov Australia) 30 January 2024
829-833-43-35/Polls Australians Say January 26 Should Be Known As ‘Australia
Day’, (68.5%) And Say The Date Of Australia Day Should Stay On January 26
(58.5%)
A
special Roy Morgan SMS Poll on Australia Day, January 26, shows more than
two-thirds of Australians (68.5%) now say the date should stay as ‘Australia
Day’ – up 4.5% from a year ago. Only 31.5% (down 4.5%) say January 26 should
be called ‘Invasion Day’. Australians are more
evenly split on keeping Australia Day on January 26 with 58.5% saying the
date of Australia Day should stay the same while just over two-fifths, 41.5%,
say the date should be moved – according to a special Roy Morgan SMS Poll
conducted with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,111 Australians aged 18+
from Wednesday January 17 – Friday January 19, 2024. People surveyed were
told “On January 26, 1788, Captain
Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove,” and asked “In your opinion should January 26 be known as
Australia Day or Invasion Day?” and "Do you think the date of Australia Day should
be moved?" Over
three-quarters of men favour ‘Australia Day’ on January 26; Women are more
evenly split A large majority of men
favour January 26 staying as ‘Australia Day’ rather than ‘Invasion Day’ by a
margin of over 3:1 (76.5% cf. 23.5%) a significant change from a year ago
(69% cf. 31%). In contrast, Australia’s
women are more evenly split with a majority of 61.5% (up 3.5% points from a
year ago) in favour of January 26 being known as ‘Australia Day’ compared to
38.5% (down 3.5% points) saying it should be known as ‘Invasion Day. In contrast, a large
majority of men (67.5%) say the date of Australia Day ‘should not be moved’
and only 32.5% say the date ‘should be moved’. A razor-thin majority of women
(50.5%) say the date of Australia Day ‘should be moved’ whereas 49.5% oppose
moving the date. Australians
of all ages say January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’ Although young people are
less likely than their older counterparts to support January 26 staying as
‘Australia Day’, and keeping the date, a majority of Australians of all ages
say January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’. Support
for saying January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’ by age:
A
majority of Australians of all ages say the date of Australia Day ‘should not
be moved’:
Opinions
about ‘Australia Day’ divide along political lines: L-NP voters favour
‘Australia Day’, ALP voters are split down the middle and Greens strongly
favour ‘Invasion Day’ A large majority of L-NP
supporters 90% (up 16% points from a year ago) favour January 26 being known
as ‘Australia Day’ compared to only 10% (down 16% points) who say it should
be known as ‘Invasion Day’. ALP supporters are split
down the middle on the issue with 50% (down 13% points from a year ago) who
favour January 26 being known as ‘Australia Day’ compared to 50% (up 13%
points) who say it should be known as ‘Invasion Day’. In contrast, an increasing
majority of Greens supporters are in favour of January 26 being known as
‘Invasion Day’ 89.5% (up 26.5% points from a year ago) rather than ‘Australia
Day’ 10.5% (down 26.5% points). L-NP
supporters don’t want to ‘move the date’ while large majorities of ALP and
Greens supporters do Only 18.5% of L-NP
supporters want to ‘move the date’ of Australia Day while large majorities of
ALP supporters (61%) and Greens supporters (94%) want to ‘move the date’ of
Australia Day. Should
the date of Australia Day ‘be moved’ by party support:
People
in Country Areas far more likely than those in the Capital Cities to say
January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’ rather than ‘Invasion Day’ A large majority of 79.5%
(up 8.5% points from a year ago) of Australians living in Country Areas say
January 26 should stay as ‘Australia Day’ compared to 63% (up 4% points)
living in Capital Cities. Clear majorities of
Australians in all six States say January 26 should be known as ‘Australia
Day’ with the largest proportion in favour living in Tasmania (76%), New
South Wales (72%) and Western Australia (71%). The tightest result is in
Victoria with 63.5% saying January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’. Support
for saying January 26 should be known as ‘Australia Day’ State and Region:
People
in Country Areas don’t want to ‘move the date’, those in Capital Cities are
more evenly split A large majority of
Australians living in Country Areas (68%) say the date of Australia Day
‘should not be moved’ compared to 53.5% of those living in Capital Cities
that say the date ‘should not be moved’. People in most Australian
States say no to ‘moving the date’ but a slim majority of West Australians
are in favour of ‘moving the date’. Should
the date of Australia Day ‘be moved’ by State & Region:
This special Roy Morgan
Snap SMS survey was conducted with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,111
Australians aged 18+ from Wednesday January 17 – Friday January 19, 2024. Of
those surveyed 5% (up 1%) of respondents suggested neither or something else for
the day. For
further comment or more information contact: Australians surveyed were
asked about their view of Australia Day:
Question
1: On
January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove. In your
opinion should January 26 be known as Australian Day or Invasion Day? By
Gender & Age
On
January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove. In your
opinion should January 26 be known as Australian Day or Invasion Day? By
States & City/Country
#Sample
sizes with fewer than 50 respondents should be treated with caution. On
January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove. In your
opinion should January 26 be known as Australian Day or Invasion Day? By
Party Vote (Federal)
#Sample
sizes with fewer than 50 respondents should be treated with caution. Question
3: "Do
you think the date of Australia Day should be moved?” By
Gender & Age
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