In 2016, both Americans and Britons participated in divisive votes shaped in part by questions of immigration and global engagement. In the United States, voters cast ballots in a presidential election ultimately won by Donald Trump and his “America first” vision. Across the Atlantic, “leave” voters outnumbered “remain” voters in a national referendum on continued European Union membership, framed by the slogan “Take back control.” Attempts to explain the twin poll results have focused on people who felt left behind and who voted against the seemingly inexorable tide of growing economic interdependence, cultural diversity and social connectivity that define a globalized world. But direct, systematic comparisons of the two countries have been rare.

Pew Research Center undertook focus groups in the United States and United Kingdom in 2019 – prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 – to understand better the degree to which similar narratives about globalization and its impacts are evident in each country – and whether these narratives vary by geography, political affiliation or other factors in each country.

The focus groups confirm that the story of being “left behind” remains common in both the U.S. and UK. Participants highlighted the ways in which the forces of globalization left them rudderless, closing industries, leading people to abandon their homes and harming them economically. But the group conversations also reveal a narrative of being “swept up” by globalization. Those who are swept up experience dislocation because of too much attention from global forces – investment and new job creation supplant traditional work, inflate real estate prices and displace some people from their homes and communities. Stories of being left behind and swept up both lead to feelings of alienation and loss.

In academia, this is referred to as a “sociotropic” attitude. Academics have found similar relationships when examining trade attitudes or attitudes toward immigration. For example, when it comes to trade, scholars argue that people’s attitudes toward international trade are based less on their material self-interest than on perceptions of how the U.S. economy as a whole is affected by trade. Similarly, when it comes to immigration, research suggests people’s opinions are shaped by their concerns about the national cultural impacts of immigration more than their personal economic experiences.

Given that people can feel dislocated whether they are left behind or swept up, what separates those who see globalization negatively from those who see it positively is how they perceive changes to their country, rather than their neighborhood. Those who are more locally or nationally rooted tend to see globalization breaking down the national community and changing what it means to be part of the nation-state in ways they find disaffecting. In contrast, those who embrace globalization tend to focus on the ways in which globalization itself can create community – fostering new connections by breaking down boundaries between people to foster international cooperation and understanding.

In the following section, we describe how focus group participants defined and described globalization. Then, we look at how globalization impacted participants’ local communities and created a sense of loss, both for those who were left behind and those who are swept up by globalization. We then look at how people see globalization changing what it means to be British or American and how both those who are more globally oriented and those who are more nationally rooted express feelings of alienation in their country. Finally, we look at participants’ attitudes toward globalization at the international level, concluding that some view global interconnectivity as an opportunity for cooperation while others see it as a battleground for competition. Throughout the essay are quotations representing a range of views from participants, some of which have been edited for grammar, spelling and clarity.

(PEW)

October 05, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/2020/10/05/in-u-s-and-uk-globalization-leaves-some-feeling-left-behind-or-swept-up/

SUMMARY OF POLLS

ASIA

(India)

Nearly 31% prefer Nitish as CM, says poll survey

Nitish Kumar's NDA government seems headed for a fourth term in Bihar, with 141-161 seats this time. ABP News along with CVoter conducted an opinion poll to gauge the mood of the voters ahead of the crucial polls. The sample size of the survey was 25,789. Nitish remains first choice for CM: As per the survey, 31% of the respondents in Bihar have said that they want Nitish Kumar to be the Chief Minister of the state. Eight percent voted for Lalu Yadav as preferred CM candidate, while Tejashwi was preferred by 15% of the respondents.

(ABP Live)

September 25, 2020

(India)

Digital banking thrives amidst Covid, likely to grow post the crisis

The Coronavirus outbreak has led to tectonic shifts in individuals’ personal financial situations. With a volatile market and job layoffs, managing finances is a top priority among people. In the current scenario of economic distress, banks have come forward offering financial relief to their customers and businesses. YouGov’s latest survey reveals a large proportion of urban Indians (58%) believe banks in India are doing an excellent job of helping them during the COVID19 crisis. Very few (12%) believe otherwise and disagree with this view.

(YouGov)

October 07, 2020

(Japan)

Japan business sentiment perks up as hit from pandemic begins to ease

Japanese business sentiment improved in July-September from a 11-year low hit three months ago, a key central bank survey showed, in a sign the economy is gradually emerging from the devastating hit from the coronavirus pandemic. The data offers some hope for new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s efforts to achieve an economic revival from the crisis and pave the way for hosting next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. (The Asahi Shimbun)

October 02, 2020

(Singapore)

Singapore’s Most Admired

Former United States President Barack Obama has topped the list as Singapore’s most admired man for the third year in a row, according to YouGov’s annual study of which public figures people look up to. Following Barack Obama is Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in second place. Billionaire entrepreneurs feature strongly in this year’s list, with Alibaba co-founder in third and American business magnate Warren Buffet in fifth. (YouGov)

September 25, 2020

(Philippine)

Philippine’s Most Admired

Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte has again topped the list as Philippine’s most admired man, for the third year in a row, according to YouGov’s annual study of which public figures people look up to. The top three most admired men in this year’s list are all Filipino. In second is professional boxer and Senator of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao, who has moved up three spots from last year’s ranking. (YouGov)

October 01, 2020

MENA

(UAE)

Nearly half of UAE residents feel positive about the support offered by banks during Covid19

The Coronavirus outbreak has led to tectonic shifts in individuals’ personal financial situations. With plunging stocks and many people out of work, managing finances is a top priority among people. Amidst an environment of economic distress, banks in the UAE have rolled out a stimulus package offering financial relief to their customers and businesses. YouGov’s latest survey reveals nearly one in two respondents (48%) believe banks in the UAE are doing an excellent job of helping them during the COVID19 crisis. (YouGov)

October 05, 2020

(Tunisia)

Tunisians are concerned about smuggling and corruption, say government is handling them poorly, Afrobarometer study shows

Most Tunisians say smuggling and corruption are problems in the country, and very few think the government is doing a good job of resolving them, a new Afrobarometer study shows. Citizens are more than twice as likely to say they prefer buying legal but expensive goods over cheaper smuggled goods. Although most Tunisians say it is wrong to work as a driver of smuggled goods, a significant proportion think it is “wrong but understandable” to buy smuggled goods. (Afrobarometer)

September 28, 2020

AFRICA

(Sierra Leone)

A majority of Sierra Leoneans say the Commissions of Inquiry are effective, Afrobarometer study shows

A majority of Sierra Leoneans say the Commissions of Inquiry are effective in addressing corruption in the country, a new Afrobarometer survey shows. By a 4-to-1 margin, citizens also say the commissions are impartial and do not favour one party or group over another. Only about one in 10 citizens hold negative views of the commissions’ impartiality and effectiveness, though about one-third say they don’t know enough about the commissions to offer an opinion. (Afrobarometer)

September 30, 2020

EUROPE

(Italy)

Credit Cards and Digital Payments Observatory

In the first months of 2020 there is a greater use of digital payment tools also for offline purchases , for which the growth potential is considered high. The lockdown has generated a boost for internet and mobile banking and 8 out of 10 Italians have resorted to e-commerce not only for online shopping. The post lockdown saw an intensification in the use of credit cards and an increase in the share of heavy users. (Ipsos)

October 01, 2020

(Belgium)

What do we think about our new Belgian government?

Results gathered with Ipsos sprint in 24 hours on a representative panel of Belgians show a lack of confidence in the new Federal Government, and strong regional differences in acceptance of lacking a majority on the Flemish side. Only 38% reported being confident in the new government while 46% reported the opposite. Less than half (48%) of the respondents where confident in the president whereas 35% where not. (Ipsos)

October 02, 2020

(UK)

How much do Brits know about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?

A new YouGov Profiles study looks at awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a set of targets designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" – among the British public. In 2015 all UN member states adopted the SDGs as part of unified plan to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace by 2030. But YouGov data reveals that five years on the majority of Brits (56%) are not at all aware of the targets. Just over a quarter (27%) have heard of them, but are unfamiliar with they involve. (YouGov)

October 01, 2020

(UK)

Can Britons manage their money?

Only one in five Britons (20%) are absolutely confident when it comes to making and keeping a budget. These people are slightly more likely to be older, with about two in five (43%) of them being at least 55 years old, compared to 38% of the wider population. Social grade also seems to play a role, albeit to a lesser degree. About three in five confident budgeters (59%) are ABC1s, meaning they tend to do professional work, compared to 54% of all Brits. (YouGov)

September 29, 2020

(UK)

Can Britain resist a snack?

Three in five Brits say they’re likely to purchase snacks over the next month – and chocolate is their biggest weakness. For many Brits, snacks are vital service stations on the long, hard motorway that leads to dinnertime. YouGov Profiles data shows that six in ten Brits (61%) admit that they’re either very likely (41%) or likely (20%) to buy them in the next 30 days. Just a fifth (19%) say they’re either not very or not at all likely to buy them. (YouGov)

October 01, 2020

(UK)

Can criminals truly change?

A recent BBC documentary – Can Sex Offenders Change? – investigated whether those who have committed sexual crimes against children can ever be safely reintegrated into society. While the programme didn’t reach a definitive conclusion, it raised a larger question: Which type of offenders can be effectively reformed – and which criminals shouldn’t get a second chance?

YouGov asked the public if it would be possible to rehabilitate criminals who have committed various types of crimes. Our data shows that just 12% of Brits think people who have been convicted of sexual offences against children can be rehabilitated – and three-quarters (76%) believe them to be beyond help. (YouGov)

October 05, 2020

NORTH AMERICA

(Canada)

Hollywood’s Bestsellers Are Books! Two-thirds (67%) of Canadians Think the Best TV Shows & Movies are Based on Books

One in Three (34%) Have Postponed Watching A TV Show or Movie So They Could Read the Book it Was Based on First. It seems that every good book ends up becoming a movie or TV show, with classic novels such as Little Fires Everywhere, Lock & Key, the Invisible Man, Defending Jacob, and the Witcher all hitting the big screen recently. It is therefore not surprising that a new Ipsos poll, conducted on behalf of !ndigo, reveals a vast majority (88%) of Canadians have read a book that is associated with a TV show or movie. (Ipsos)

September 23, 2020

(Canada)

Impact of Prime Minister’s Speech to the Nation a Wash: 27% Have More Confidence in PM’s Plans Following Speech; 29% Have Less Confidence

One Quarter (27%) of Canadians Watched PM’s Televised Address; 18% Saw it on Social Media; 50% Read or Heard about It. Following the government’s Speech from the Throne last Wednesday, the Prime Minister took to the airwaves to outline his plans for the country as Canada enters into a second wave of COVID-19. While many Canadians watched or otherwise heard the details of the speech, the impact appears to be a wash. (Ipsos)

October 1, 2020

(USA)

New High 54% Want Government to Solve More Problems in U.S.

For the first time in Gallup's 28-year trend, a majority of Americans think the government should do more to solve the nation's problems. As the U.S. continues to struggle with the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting economic downturn, and racial injustice issues, 54% of U.S. adults favor increased government intervention, while 41% think the government is doing too much that should be left to individuals and businesses. (Gallup USA)

September 28, 2020

(USA)

Families, Educators Dissatisfied With Computer Science Access

In the latest Google/Gallup study of the state of computer science education in U.S. schools, conducted in late January to early March, about half of U.S. students in grades 7 through 12 reported they had the opportunity to learn these skills at school. Forty-nine percent of students say they learned any computer science at school in the past year. Similar percentages of female and male students and Black, Hispanic and White students reported that they learned computer science at school. (Gallup USA)

October 01, 2020

(USA)

New High Favors One-Party Control of U.S. Federal Government

A new high of 41% of U.S. adults say it is better to have a president and Congress from the same political party. Twenty-three percent would rather have one party control the presidency and the other control Congress, while 32% say it makes no difference to them. A record 41% of U.S. adults in 2020 say it is better to have a president who comes from the same party that controls Congress. The 23% in 2020 who favor having a president from one party and Congress controlled by another is near the record-low 20% from 2016. (Gallup USA)

October 02, 2020

(USA)

Most Cuban American voters identify as Republican in 2020

Unlike other Hispanic registered voters in the United States, most Cuban Americans identify as Republican – a pattern that could have electoral implications as President Donald Trump seeks to recapture the important swing state of Florida this year. Nationwide, 58% of Cuban registered voters say they affiliate with or lean toward the Republican Party, while 38% identify with the Democratic Party or lean Democratic, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted July 27-Aug. 2. By comparison, around two-thirds of Hispanic voters who are not Cuban (65%) identify as or lean Democratic, while 32% affiliate with the Republican Party. (PEW)

October 02, 2020

(USA)

Americans are more positive about the long-term rise in U.S. racial and ethnic diversity than in 2016

The United States is more racially and ethnically diverse today than it ever has been, and it is projected to be even more diverse in the coming decades. In 2019, Americans who identify as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White made up 40% of the country’s population, and their combined share is predicted to increase to over 50% by 2044, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

SOUTH AMERICA

(Brazil)

64% of Brazilians prefer to prioritize social progress against economic growth in the post-pandemic recovery

Health and well-being of society are current priority issues worldwide. Social development, encompassing aspects such as life expectancy, education, inclusion, etc., should be Brazil's priority when the pandemic comes to an end. At least that is what 64% of the country's interviewees say, that in the survey “ Covid-19: Recovery Preferences and Priorities ”, carried out by Ipsos for the Social Progress Imperative with 10,000 people from 13 countries - 1,000 of whom are Brazilians - chose to prioritize the social progress at the expense of economic growth in the post-Covid-19 resumption. (YouGov)

September 21, 2020

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

Europe wants Joe Biden to beat Donald Trump

With the US election less than a month away, a new YouGov survey of seven European countries – Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Sweden – finds that people overwhelmingly want to see Joe Biden triumph over Donald Trump. A victory for the Democratic challenger is most strongly desired in Denmark, where 80% want to see him win compared to only 6% for the Republican incumbent. The president performs best in Italy, but even here the 20% who want him returned for a second term are outnumbered almost three to one by the 58% who want Biden to win. (YouGov)

October 04, 2020

In U.S. and UK, Globalization Leaves Some Feeling ‘Left Behind’ or ‘Swept Up’

October 05, 2020

Monitoring the World's Water Access and Use

For billions of people worldwide, sufficient, safe and sustainably managed water is not something they can take for granted. And the limited resources they have at their disposal are under increasing threat from a range of climate-related, infrastructural and political reasons. This is more evident among the most vulnerable populations who often suffer the most. However, until recently, researchers and policymakers were not able to track inequalities in living in a water secure environment in a globally comparable way. (Gallup USA)

September 29, 2020

ASIA

658-43-01/Poll

Nearly 31% prefer Nitish as CM, says poll survey

Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 ABP Opinion Poll Highlights : Nitish Kumar's NDA government seems headed for a fourth term in Bihar, with 141-161 seats this time. ABP News along with CVoter conducted an opinion poll to gauge the mood of the voters ahead of the crucial polls. The sample size of the survey was 25,789.

Nitish remains first choice for CM: As per the survey, 31% of the respondents in Bihar have said that they want Nitish Kumar to be the Chief Minister of the state. Eight percent voted for Lalu Yadav as preferred CM candidate, while Tejashwi was preferred by 15% of the respondents.

(ABP Live)

September 25, 2020

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/bihar-elections-2020-abp-opinion-poll-nda-likely-to-win-big-nitish-kumar-looks-set-for-fourth-term-1348381

658-43-02/Poll

Digital banking thrives amidst Covid, likely to grow post the crisis

The growing emphasis on social distancing made online banking the preferred medium for accessing most of the banking services

YouGov’s latest survey reveals a large proportion of urban Indians (58%) believe banks in India are doing an excellent job of helping them during the COVID19 crisis. Very few (12%) believe otherwise and disagree with this view.

The data shows at present consumers appear to be most interested in acquiring savings accounts (47% saying this) and Life insurance (42%), and least interested in taking personal loans (17%). This demonstrates a clear desire among people to protect current assets and a resistance to accumulating more debt obligations within the current financial environment.

Financial prudence is observed even in terms of interest in bank’s relief offers where the largest proportion of respondents (36%) have either availed or plan to avail Covid-19 insurance for citizens.

Some have sought or are seeking relief concerning debts; such as reduced interest charges on loans (31%) or deferment of EMIS (25%). Young adults aged between 30- 39 years, more likely men than women, seem to be feeling the pinch of debt a bit more than the rest, and are looking out for some relief in this regard.

Comparatively, fewer are looking for offers that could increase their debt, such as new credit card with attractive offers (22%) and COVID Emergency Line of Credit (CELC) for additional loan facilities (20%).

Before Covid-19, two-thirds of respondents (66%) claimed digital banking was their preferred mode of banking and only 22% favoured traditional means of banking.

The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation at banks, and ‘online’ emerged as the go to medium for accessing almost all the listed banking services. Online banking was mostly used for cash transfers (83%), credit card payments (78%) and remittance of funds (67%). Private bank users were more likely to use the digital medium than customers of public sector banks.

Among those using digital banking, 71% rated their digital banking experience during Covid-19 as “Excellent” or “Very Good”. It seems like digital banking is likely to grow further as 89% among these respondents claimed they would continue using online medium in the future as well, suggesting financial institutions should remain committed to expanding and developing new banking models post the health crisis as well.

(YouGov)

October 07, 2020

Source: https://in.yougov.com/en-hi/news/2020/10/07/digital-banking-thrives-amidst-covid-likely-grow-p/

658-43-03/Poll

Japan business sentiment perks up as hit from pandemic begins to ease

People take elevators at a shopping building in Tokyo on Aug. 24. Japanese manufacturers’ sentiments improved for the first time in three years, a quarterly Bank of Japan survey showed on Oct. 1 as the nation grappled with stagnation worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo)

The data offers some hope for new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s efforts to achieve an economic revival from the crisis and pave the way for hosting next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

But factory activity remained shaky and corporate capital expenditure plans were at their weakest since the 2009 global financial crisis, underscoring the challenge of pulling the world’s third-largest economy sustainably out of its slump.

As the pandemic’s pain persists, a ruling party heavyweight signalled Japan’s readiness to compile a “large-scale, bold” additional spending package.

The headline index for big manufacturers’ sentiment improved to minus 27 in September, off a 11-year low of minus 34 in June but worse than a median market forecast of minus 23, the Bank of Japan’s closely watched “tankan” survey showed on Thursday.

While it showed many firms remain downbeat, it was the first sign of improvement in nearly three years.

“The big manufacturers’ index turned out a little weaker than expected, reflecting an uneven recovery,” said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.

“Capital expenditure may weaken in coming months as companies put off non-urgent spending plans amid slumping profits,” he said.

Big non-manufacurers’ sentiment also recovered to minus 12 from minus 17 in June, worse than a Reuters poll of minus 9 but the first improvement in five quarters.

Both manufacturers and non-manufacturers expect conditions to improve three months ahead, giving new premier Suga some breathing space.

But some sectors fared better than others in a sign of the patchy nature of the recovery. While carmakers and restaurants saw demand pick up as lockdown measures were eased, machinery makers continued to suffer from sluggish orders.

Big firms plan to raise their capital expenditure by just 1.4% in the current business year to March 2021, lower than a 3.2% increase projected in June.

Total spending plans by companies of all size and industry for the current fiscal year fell 2.7%, the biggest drop marked in any September survey since fiscal 2009, the tankan showed.

“With uncertainty over the pandemic looming, it’s doubtful whether corporate sentiment will recover medium- to long-term,” said Yuichi Kodama, chief analyst at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute.

“The economy may stagnate after the effect of various government stimulus measures run their course,” he said.

Factory activity posted its longest streak of declines on record in September, a separate private survey showed on Thursday, underscoring the huge toll the health crisis has taken on the manufacturing sector.

Japan suffered its biggest economic slump on record in the second quarter as the pandemic and anti-virus measures crippled demand, and analysts expect any rebound to remain modest as fears of a second huge wave of infections weigh on consumption.

The BOJ has kept monetary policy steady since ramping up stimulus in March and April to cushion the economic blow.

BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has said the central bank stands ready to loosen policy further if Japan’s recovery is derailed. But many analysts expect the central bank to stand pat for the time being given its limited tool-kit to prop up growth.

(The Asahi Shimbun)

October 02, 2020

Source: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13780125

658-43-04/Poll

Singapore’s Most Admired

Following Barack Obama is Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in second place. Billionaire entrepreneurs feature strongly in this year’s list, with Alibaba co-founder in third and American business magnate Warren Buffet in fifth.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is the only Singaporean man to feature in this year’s top ten, but has notably moved up four spots from last year, and is now the fourth most admired man in Singapore.

The rest of the top ten comprises of both world leaders and celebrities. Martial arts actor Jackie Chan comes in sixth, and actor Keanu Reeves in seventh. President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jin Ping is in eighth place, the Dalai Lama in ninth, and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in tenth.

Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama remains Singapore’s most admired woman for the third year running. Other world leaders also feature prominently in the top ten. Queen Elizabeth II comes in second, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern in fourth, State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi in sixth, and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in eighth.

President Halimah Yacob joins other world leaders, appearing in the top ten of most admired women for the first time, coming in seventh place.

The rest of the list is rounded off with celebrities. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey comes in third, actress Angelia Jolie in fifth, singer Taylor Swift in ninth, and comedian and host Ellen DeGeneres in tenth.

(YouGov)

September 25, 2020

Source: https://sg.yougov.com/en-sg/news/2020/09/25/singapores-most-admired/

658-43-05/Poll

Philippine’s Most Admired

Angel Locsin is the nation’s most admired woman for the second year running

The top three most admired men in this year’s list are all Filipino. In second is professional boxer and Senator of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao, who has moved up three spots from last year’s ranking. Newcomer Isko Moreno, newly elected mayor of Manila comes in third.

Entertainers dominate the top ten. Martial arts actor Jackie Chan comes in fourth, and Hollywood actors Keanu Reeves seventh, Leonardo Dicaprio in ninth and Tom Cruise in tenth.

The list is completed with Pope Francis in fifth, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in sixth and former President of the United States Barack Obama in eighth.

Actress and model Angel Locsin is Philippine’s most admired woman for the second year running. Locsin is followed by newcomer to the list Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray in second, and singer Sarah Geronimo in third place.

Similar to the men’s top ten, entertainers feature heavily in the list. American singer Taylor Swift comes in fourth, Hollywood actresses Angelina Jolie and Emma Watson in fifth and seventh respectively, Filipina model Liza Soberano in sixth, talk show host Oprah Winfrey in ninth and popstar Jennifer Lopez in tenth. The top ten is completed with Queen Elizabeth II in eighth place.

(YouGov)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://ph.yougov.com/en-ph/news/2020/10/01/philippines-most-admired/

MENA

658-43-06/Poll

Nearly half of UAE residents feel positive about the support offered by banks during Covid19

As economic uncertainties increase, residents seek measures that help protect their financial position and reduce or avoid any debt obligations

YouGov’s latest survey reveals nearly one in two respondents (48%) believe banks in the UAE are doing an excellent job of helping them during the COVID19 crisis. High-income households earning AED 40, 000+ were more likely than the rest to say this (at 65%).

27% of residents, however, do not think banks are doing a good job in this regard. Among the various banks in the country, consumers banking with international banks were more likely to hold this view as compared to those engaging with regional banks (32% vs 17%).

The data show at present consumers appear to be most interested in acquiring savings accounts (44% very interested) and least interested in personal loans (21% very interested), demonstrating a clear desire to protect current assets and a resistance to accumulating new debt obligations within the current financial environment.

After Savings account, many are interested in increasing their investments in gold and other metals (37%), followed by pension schemes (34%).

Financial prudence is observed even in terms of interest in banks’ relief offers where the largest proportion of respondents (30%) have either taken up or plan to take up offers related to basic financial responsibilities such as, “Interest-free instalment plans for payments (e.g. school fees, utility bills, etc.)”.

One in four (25%) have either already taken or plan to take advantage of “New Credit Card with attractive offers (such as better cashback, extended limits, etc.)”, with men being more likely than women to say this (27% vs 20%).

Comparatively, fewer are seeking relief offers concerning debts, such as relaxation on retail loans for those affected by Covid (21%) or new or refinanced home loans (13%).

The Central Bank of the UAE has encouraged the citizens of the country to take advantage of digital and online banking services as a measure to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Before Covid-19, a majority (62%) already preferred digital banking with only a quarter (24%) favouring traditional in-branch banking. The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation at banks, with 70% of those banking with major local and foreign banks claiming they are now using digital banking more, while 44% of respondents also said they are using traditional banking less.

Among those using digital banking, 72% rated their digital banking experience during Covid-19 as “Excellent” or “Very Good”. It seems like digital banking is likely to grow further as 85% of those who had a positive experience claimed they would continue using online banking medium in the future as well.

(YouGov)

October 05, 2020

Source: https://mena.yougov.com/en/news/2020/10/05/nearly-half-uae-residents-feel-positive-about-supp/

658-43-07/Poll

Tunisians are concerned about smuggling and corruption, say government is handling them poorly, Afrobarometer study shows

Most Tunisians say smuggling and corruption are problems in the country, and very few think the government is doing a good job of resolving them, a new Afrobarometer study shows.

Citizens are more than twice as likely to say they prefer buying legal but expensive goods over cheaper smuggled goods. Although most Tunisians say it is wrong to work as a driver of smuggled goods, a significant proportion think it is “wrong but understandable” to buy smuggled goods.

The study also shows that large majorities of citizens perceive an increased level of corruption in the country and think the government is performing poorly in its fight against corruption. Citizens who have heard about the National Anti-corruption Agency (INLUUC) are divided in their assessments of its performance.

Dissatisfaction with widespread corruption in Tunisia was one of the main causes of the 2011 revolution. Since then, however, the country’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has worsened, from 59th out of 178 countries in 2010 to 74th out of 198 countries in 2019.

(Afrobarometer)

September 28, 2020

Source: https://www.afrobarometer.org/press/tunisians-are-concerned-about-smuggling-and-corruption-say-government-handling-them-poorly

AFRICA

658-43-08/Poll

A majority of Sierra Leoneans say the Commissions of Inquiry are effective, Afrobarometer study shows

A majority of Sierra Leoneans say the Commissions of Inquiry are effective in addressing corruption in the country, a new Afrobarometer survey shows.

By a 4-to-1 margin, citizens also say the commissions are impartial and do not favour one party or group over another. Only about one in 10 citizens hold negative views of the commissions’ impartiality and effectiveness, though about one-third say they don’t know enough about the commissions to offer an opinion.

Although perceptions of increasing corruption are less common than in 2015, approval of the government’s performance in fighting corruption has declined significantly. The survey also shows that a large majority of Sierra Leoneans want the media to constantly investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption. However, citizens are increasingly concerned about the risk of retaliation when they report corruption.

After coming to power on an anti-corruption platform, President Julius Maada Bio created three Commissions of Inquiry in January 2019 to investigate acts of corruption and mismanagement under his predecessor. In the just-ended year-long investigation, the commissions identified accused persons and called for confiscation of assets and refund of allegedly stolen monies.

(Afrobarometer)

September 30, 2020

Source: https://www.afrobarometer.org/press/majority-sierra-leoneans-say-commissions-inquiry-are-effective-afrobarometer-study-shows

EUROPE

658-43-09/Poll

Credit Cards and Digital Payments Observatory

Goodbye to cash ... electronic payments continue to increase in 2020. Discover the main findings of the Credit Cards and Digital Payments Observatory.

The presentation of the 18th edition of the Credit Cards and Digital Payments Observatory created by Ipsos, Assofin , Nomisma and with the contribution of CRIF was held on September 29th .

What are the main findings of the study?

In the first months of 2020 there is a greater use of digital payment tools also for offline purchases , for which the growth potential is considered high.
The lockdown has generated a boost for internet and mobile banking and 8 out of 10 Italians have resorted to e-commerce not only for online shopping.
The post lockdown saw an intensification in the use of credit cards and an increase in the share of heavy users.
In the first 6 months of 2020 there is an increase in the incidence of online use of option / installment cards , which come to make up one fifth of the total volumes of purchases of goods and services.
Mobile and instant payments show consistent growth trends both in terms of awareness and use.
In 2019, the number of active credit cards in circulation in Italy amounted to 15.4 million units against 57.2 million debit cards and, moreover, the widespread use of prepaid cards was confirmed, resuming the growth trend (+ 5%) which had stopped in 2018. In general, in 2019 there was a record of amounts transacted with credit cards that exceed 87.9 billion euros.
The analysis of the riskiness of the credit card sector on balance shows a bad debt rate of 1.6% , slightly up on the 1.4% recorded in 2019.

(Ipsos)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/it-it/osservatorio-carte-di-credito-e-digital-payments

658-43-10/Poll

What do we think about our new Belgian government?

new government

(Ipsos)

October 02, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/en-be/what-do-we-think-about-our-new-belgian-government

658-43-11/Poll

How much do Brits know about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?

Most Brits are unfamiliar with the UN targets for the future – but climate change is the most important goal among those who are familiar with them

In 2015 all UN member states adopted the SDGs as part of unified plan to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace by 2030.

But YouGov data reveals that five years on the majority of Brits (56%) are not at all aware of the targets. Just over a quarter (27%) have heard of them, but are unfamiliar with they involve.

Only 6% of British adults say they are fully aware of the SDGs and know a lot about them. But which goals are most important among this informed minority?

When asked to pick the single most important SDG to them personally, 13% of those aware of this informed group pointed to action on climate change (13%). Another 13% said the priority goal for them was ending poverty throughout the world.

One in nine (9%) said that combating world hunger was the most important SDG to them, followed by 10% who said improving health and wellbeing in general.

Clean water and sanitation are important to 9% who are aware of the SDGs, while 5% said ensuring good education for all was the most important.

Whose job is it to make sure the SDGs are met however? A plurality (the largest group but one that is not a majority) of those with knowledge of the SDGs (44%) say it’s down to MPs and the Government.

One in six (17%) say that it is the responsibility of the public at large to ensure the goals are met, with the same amount saying its down to international organisations to take responsibility.

(YouGov)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/finance/articles-reports/2020/10/01/how-much-do-brits-know-about-uns-sustainable-devel

658-43-12/Poll

Can Britons manage their money?

People who are good at keeping a budget tend to be older and have higher trust in financial institutions

Social grade also seems to play a role, albeit to a lesser degree. About three in five confident budgeters (59%) are ABC1s, meaning they tend to do professional work, compared to 54% of all Brits.

Confident budgeters tend to be more upbeat about their personal finances in general. Nearly all say they manage their money well (93%, compared with 80% of the general population). Similarly, they claim to be good at saving (89% vs 66% of all Brits) and are more likely to see themselves as financially secure (78% vs 55%).

Confident budgeters also tend to be more calculated when it comes to making the most of their money. About half look for profitable investment opportunities (53% vs 38%), and a similar number consider news about finance and the economy before making big purchases (49% vs 40%).

While half of the population trusts banks and building societies, this figure is higher among people who are good at budgeting (60%). They are also more likely than the average person to think that hard work matters more than luck in getting ahead in the UK (52% vs 45%).

(YouGov)

September 29, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/finance/articles-reports/2020/09/29/can-britons-manage-their-money

658-43-13/Poll

Can Britain resist a snack?

Three in five Brits say they’re likely to purchase snacks over the next month – and chocolate is their biggest weakness

For many Brits, snacks are vital service stations on the long, hard motorway that leads to dinnertime. YouGov Profiles data shows that six in ten Brits (61%) admit that they’re either very likely (41%) or likely (20%) to buy them in the next 30 days.

Just a fifth (19%) say they’re either not very or not at all likely to buy them.

But who are these keenest snackers, who are likely to buy in the next month, and what are their habits?

YouGov Profiles data shows a roughly even gender split, with 49% of men and 51% of women being either very likely or likely to buy snacks in the next month.

Examining the nation’s snacking habits, three in five (59%) Brits say they eat them while watching TV or movies, and two in five (41%) say they usually snack when bored. Three in ten (28%) say they eat snacks while studying.

For both keen snackers and regular Brits, Cadbury is the clear favourite: without prompting, half (51% snackers; 50% of the public) name it as their preferred brand, with Walkers in second place (27% snackers; 24% of the public).

(YouGov)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/food/articles-reports/2020/10/01/can-britain-resist-snack

658-43-14/Poll

Can criminals truly change?

A recent BBC documentary – Can Sex Offenders Change? – investigated whether those who have committed sexual crimes against children can ever be safely reintegrated into society.

While the programme didn’t reach a definitive conclusion, it raised a larger question: Which type of offenders can be effectively reformed – and which criminals shouldn’t get a second chance?

Those who commit sexual offences against adults fare somewhat better with the public: a quarter (24%) think they can meaningfully change, versus three-fifths (58%) who think they cannot.

The public is more likely to believe that it’s possible to rehabilitate murderers than sexual offenders.

More than a third (36%) of Brits think it’s possible for someone who has taken the life of an adult to reform – though half (48%) take the opposite view – while a fifth (20%) believe that child killers can change their ways, versus two-thirds (65%) who think they cannot.

Nearly half of Labour and Lib Dem voters think murderers can be rehabilitated

Labour and Liberal Democrat voters are more optimistic about offenders than the general public.

Nearly half (46% Labour; 47% Lib Dem) think those who have murdered an adult can be reformed, versus 36% of Brits overall. A quarter of Labour voters (27%) and a third of Lib Dems (32%) also believe someone who has taken the life of a child can be rehabilitated, while almost a fifth of both groups (17% Labour; 19% Lib Dem) think the same of people who have committed sexual offences against a child.

“Once a shoplifter, always a shoplifter”, say 13% of Tory voters

Conservative voters are less likely to think genuine reform is possible in every category of crime we asked about. Two in five (41%) Tories agree that those who have committed racially motivated assault are beyond help - against a quarter (24%) of Labour voters, three in ten (30%) Lib Dems, and half (51%) of the general public.

Terrorism represents the most significant area of divergence between Conservative voters and the rest: just 6% think you can rehabilitate those who have killed someone as part of a terrorist act – compared to a quarter of Labour (27%) and Lib Dem voters (28%) and 17% of the public. Only 15% think it’s possible to reform someone who has committed a terrorist act without killing anybody, versus two-fifths of those who vote for the other two parties (43% Labour; 42% Lib Dem) and 28% of the public.

This pessimism extends to less serious offences: Tory voters are twice as likely to believe that shoplifters cannot change their ways – an opinion shared by just 6% of Labour voters, 5% of Lib Dems, and 9% of the general public.

Men are twice as likely to think sex offenders can be reformed

Shoplifting is also the only crime where women are more likely to believe that offenders can be rehabilitated than men. Overall, female Britons are significantly more cynical about the prospect of reform than males.

In particular, men are twice as likely as women to believe perpetrators of sexual violence can change their ways. A third of male respondents (33%) believe those who have offended against adults can be effectively reformed – compared to just 17% of women – while 17% take the same attitude to those who have offended against children (versus 7% of women).

Six in ten (63%) think you can rehabilitate someone who has committed GBH – but only 14% would feel safe around them

While many Brits believe in rehabilitation for certain criminals, they don’t necessarily want to socialise or work with them.

This is especially pronounced when it comes to grievous bodily harm (GBH): more than three in five (63%) think you can rehabilitate someone who has committed the severest form of assault, but just 14% would feel safe around someone previously convicted of this crime – and three-quarters (75%) would feel unsafe.

We can observe similar gaps across every other crime we asked about. There is a 30 percentage point gulf between people who think a murderer can be rehabilitated and people who would feel comfortable being in the vicinity of one: just 6% say they would feel safe around a convicted killer who had served their time.

Similarly, while two-thirds (67%) think people convicted of verbal hate crimes can be redeemed, only 36% would feel safe around someone who had been convicted of these offences – and while three-quarters of Brits (74%) believe that a convicted fraudster can be rehabilitated, just over half (53%) would feel safe around one.

(YouGov)

October 05, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/legal/articles-reports/2020/10/05/can-criminals-truly-change-rehabilitation-safety

NORTH AMERICA

658-43-15/Poll

Hollywood’s Bestsellers Are Books! Two-thirds (67%) of Canadians Think the Best TV Shows & Movies are Based on Books

One in Three (34%) Have Postponed Watching A TV Show or Movie So They Could Read the Book it Was Based on First.

It seems that every good book ends up becoming a movie or TV show, with classic novels such as Little Fires Everywhere, Lock & Key, the Invisible Man, Defending Jacob, and the Witcher all hitting the big screen recently. It is therefore not surprising that a new Ipsos poll, conducted on behalf of !ndigo, reveals a vast majority (88%) of Canadians have read a book that is associated with a TV show or movie. Further, around four in five or more express an interest in reading such books in the future (79%) or have been inspired to watch at least one movie or TV show because they read the book it was based on (84%).

Gen Z (97% vs. 86% aged 25-70) and women (91% vs. 84% of men) are among the most likely to report having read a book that is associated with a TV show or movie, with Gen Z also being most likely to have been inspired to watch at least one movie or TV show because they read the book it was based on (92% vs. 82% aged 25-70). Women (84% vs. 75% of men) as well as those aged 18-44 (83% vs. 75% aged 45-70) are more likely to express interest in reading books that are associated with movies and/or TV shows in the future.

Canadians enjoy a good story, regardless of the media (i.e., book or TV show/movie) through which it is transmitted and appear to be interested in consuming the same story through multiple channels wherever possible. Indeed, after watching a good TV show or movie three-fifths (61%) of Canadians say they look forward to reading the book, a figure which rises to seven in ten (69%) among those aged 18-44 (vs. 52% aged 45-70). After reading a good book, an even higher proportion (81%; 86% aged 18-44 vs. 77% aged 45-70) look forward to watching the Hollywood adaptation. Two-thirds (67%) would even go as far as to say the best TV shows or movies are based on books, with men (70% vs. 65% of women) and the 18-44 cohort (72% vs. 62% aged 45-70) among the most likely to hold this view.

Around one in four (27%) of those who have watched a TV show or movie based on a book prefer the TV show or movie, a figure which rises in one in three among men (31% vs. 23% of women) and Quebecers (33% vs. 25% ROC). Three-quarters (73%) prefer the book, possibly because it can include more details about the story that may have needed to be removed from the screen version.

Worth the Wait? Gen Z Thinks So!

A full one-third (34%) of Canadians claim to have postponed watching a TV Show or Movie simply because they wanted to read the book it was based on first, a figure which includes a majority (54%) of the Gen Z cohort. By comparison, only three in ten (31%) over the age of 25 are willing to wait until they have read the book first before watching the TV show or movie.

Most (69%) admit they try and read the book version before watching the movie or TV show it is based on. Gen Z (80% vs. 67% aged 25-70) and women (72% vs. 66% of men) are particularly inclined to do this, as they are most likely to say they try and read the book version first. Three-quarters (74%) of the nearly nine in ten (88%) Canadians who report having read a book that is associated with a movie or TV show say they read the book first, then watched the TV show or movie later. Only one in four (26%) watched the TV show or movie first.

Even if they are not reading the book, nearly three in ten (28%) Canadians indicate that watching movies or TV shows based on books has compelled them to read more. Young adults (18-34) are nearly twice as likely (at 39%) compared to those over the age of 35 (22%) to have felt compelled to read more as a result of watching movies or TV shows based on books. Seven in ten (69%) say that watching movies or TV shows based on books has not impacted their reading habits, a figure which rises to four in five (80%) among Boomers and falls to two-thirds (64%) among those aged 18-54. Only four percent (4%) feel compelled to read less, after watching movies or TV shows that are based on books, including a significantly higher proportion of men (5%) compared to women (2%).

Nearly half (44%) of Canadians are using movies or TV shows to learn about new books, with Boomers (55-70) being far & away the least likely to report having done this (29% vs. 50% aged 18-54). This cohort (57% vs. 38% aged 35-70), and men (48% vs. 41% of women) are statistically most likely to use movies or TV shows to learn about new books.

(Ipsos)

September 23, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/news-polls/hollywoods-bestsellers-are-books-two-thirds-67-percent-of-canadians-think-the-best-tv-shows-movies-are-based-on-books

658-43-16/Poll

Impact of Prime Minister’s Speech to the Nation a Wash: 27% Have More Confidence in PM’s Plans Following Speech; 29% Have Less Confidence

One Quarter (27%) of Canadians Watched PM’s Televised Address; 18% Saw it on Social Media; 50% Read or Heard about It.

Following the government’s Speech from the Throne last Wednesday, the Prime Minister took to the airwaves to outline his plans for the country as Canada enters into a second wave of COVID-19. While many Canadians watched or otherwise heard the details of the speech, the impact appears to be a wash. Just as many Canadians said the Speech from the Throne gave them less confidence as more confidence in the Prime Minister’s plans.

According to a new Ipsos poll, 27% of Canadians watched the Prime Minister’s speech live. Two in ten (18%) watched it on social media afterwards, and 50% say they read or heard about it in some other way. In total, 62% of Canadians either saw it or heard about the details.

As for the speech’s impact, among those who saw or heard about the speech, 27% of Canadians say his address to the nation gave them more confidence (8% much more/18% a little more) in his plans, while a similar proportion (29%) say it made them have less confidence (19% much less/10% a little less). Four in ten (44%) of those who saw or heard about the speech say the Prime Minster’s address had no impact on their opinion either way.

The impact differs based on how one viewed or heard about the speech. For those who personally viewed it, the impact was disproportionately positive. However, for those who read or heard about it through some other means (i.e. word of mouth, news, etc.), the impact was more negative.

Among those who watched it live, 36% became more confident, while 25% were made less confident.
Among those who watched it later on social media, 43% became more confident in the PM’s plans, while 18% became less confident.
Among those who read or heard about it in some other way, only 26% were made more confident in the Prime Minister’s plans for Canada, while 31% were less confident.

Among those who saw or heard about the speech, men were more likely to have an opinion either way about how the PM’s address impacted them (30% more confident vs. 33% less confident) than women (24% more confident vs. 25% less confident). Younger Canadians aged 18-34 who heard it were most impressed: 42% say his address made them more confident, while 22% were less confident. Among those aged 35-54, 23% were made more confident, while 25% had less confidence in the Prime Minister’s plans. However, those over the age of 55+ were less impressed: 20% report becoming more confident, while 37% say his speech made them less confident in his plans.

Newly-minted Conservative leader Erin O’Toole was given the opportunity to respond to the Prime Minister’s comments, and based on his comments, 39% of Canadians who saw both the PM’s address and opposition’s response believe that Erin O’Toole is ready to be the next Prime Minister. Six in ten (61%) are closer to the opinion that he is not ready to be Canada’s next leader.

Men (47%) are considerably more likely than women (32%) to believe Erin O’Toole is ready to be the country’s next prime minister. Regionally, those in Alberta (55%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%) are most likely to think Erin O’Toole is ready, while those in Quebec (39%), Atlantic Canada (38%), British Columbia (36%), and Ontario (34%) are less likely to say so.

(Ipsos)

October 1, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/Impact-Of-Prime-Minister-Speech-To-The-Nation-A-Wash

658-43-17/Poll

New High 54% Want Government to Solve More Problems in U.S.

The public's desire for more government has increased seven percentage points since last year. This is one of the few times that government intervention has been favored over a more hands-off approach. The other instances have generally been when the U.S. has been facing a national challenge, including shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in 1992 and 1993 amid high unemployment in the wake of an economic recession.

Role

Line graph. Americans' views of whether the government should do more to solve national problems or it is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses since 1992. The current 54% who say it should do more is the highest on record. 41% now say government is doing too much.

The latest findings, from Gallup's Aug. 31-Sept. 13 annual Governance poll, are sharply politically polarized with more Democrats (83%) and independents (56%) than ever before favoring government intervention compared with far fewer Republicans (22%).

Democrats and independents both show double-digit gains in favoring a more active government role from last year, while Republicans' views are unchanged. This is the first time that independents have reached majority-level preference for more government since 2001.

Role-partisans

Line graph. Partisans' views on whether the government should do more to solve national problems since 2001. The current 83% of Democrats and 56% of independents who say government should do more is the highest on record for each group.

The latest 61-point gap between Democrats and Republicans is the highest on record, although it is similar to differences of 60 points in 2016 and 58 points in 2011. Throughout Barack Obama's presidency, Republicans were less inclined than they are now to call for government intervention; at that time, the measure ranged from 8% to 17%. They have been slightly more likely to favor an active government under Republican administrations.

Americans Remain Divided on Promoting Values

Although the public's desire for more government involvement in solving problems has risen, support for another measure, government's promotion of traditional values, remains steady. Roughly equal percentages favor the government promoting traditional values (47%) and not promoting any set of values (50%). This trendline has been relatively stable since 2004. Before then, Americans showed a clear preference for the government to promote traditional values.

Values

Line graph. Americans' preference for whether the government should promote traditional values or not promote any particular set of values. The public remains about evenly divided in their views, with 50% saying it shouldn't promote any values and 47% calling for the promotion of traditional values.

Over the past two decades, partisans' views have been sharply divided, with broad majorities of Republicans wanting government to promote traditional values and majorities of Democrats not wanting government involvement in promoting any values. Independents' views have been more changeable. Currently, 74% of Republicans, 29% of Democrats and 42% of independents favor the government promoting traditional values.

Democrats are significantly less likely now than in the early 2000s to say government should promote traditional values; the current 29% ties the low point among Democrats and is significantly lower than the 44% high in 2001 and 2003.

Values-partisans

Line graph. Partisans' preferences for whether the government should promote traditional values since 2001. Seventy-four percent of Republicans, 42% of independents and 29% of Democrats say the government should promote traditional values.

Americans Shift Left on Desire for Government's Role

An analysis of the combined data assessing Americans' desired roles of government in the economic and morality spheres shows a shift toward the ideological position favored by the ideological left in the U.S. That is, since last year, there has been a six-point increase in the percentage of Americans who want the government to do more to solve the country's problems but, at the same time, do not want the government to promote any values. The 32% of U.S. adults holding these views is the highest on record since 1993.

Meanwhile, a relatively steady one-quarter of Americans hold the most conservative position -- saying government is doing too much to solve problems better left to individuals and businesses coupled with a desire for government to promote traditional values.

Those who favor government intervention both in solving the nation's problems and promoting traditional values also remained steady at 21% compared to last year. At the same time, the percentage of those who think the government is doing too much to solve problems and should not promote any values has decreased from 21% to 15%.

Americans' Views of Government Involvement in Solving Problems and Promotion of Values, 2019 vs. 2020

Percentage of U.S. adults who hold each set of views

	2019	2020
	%	%
Want gov't to do more to solve country's problems but not promote any values	26	32
Want gov't to do more to solve the country's problems and to promote traditional values	21	21
Think gov't is doing too much to solve problems and should not promote any values	21	15
Think gov't is doing too much to solve problems but want it to promote traditional values	27	25
GALLUP, AUG. 31-SEP. 13, 2020

Bottom Line

As has been the case in previous national crises, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the ongoing tribulations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. have seemingly resulted in the public's desire for an increase in government action. Indeed, Gallup's COVID-19 polling has found that governors are more highly rated than Donald Trump for their response to the pandemic. Governors are more broadly seen as better than the president in communicating a clear plan of action to deal with the situation, and they are also viewed as better able to handle any emerging health challenges. During this uncertain time, the public seems to want such interventions from their government.

(Gallup USA)

September 28, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/321041/new-high-government-solve-problems.aspx

658-43-18/Poll

Families, Educators Dissatisfied With Computer Science Access

Computer science skills make it possible for students to engage, create and innovate in an increasingly technology-fueled society, and they prepare them for a quickly evolving job market, where computing occupations make up the majority of projected new jobs in STEM fields.

Nearly Half of U.S. Students Learned Computer Science at School

Did you learn ANY computer science at school in the past year?

	Overall	Black students	Hispanic students	White students	Girls	Boys
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Yes	49	49	48	51	49	50
No	51	51	52	49	51	50
GOOGLE/GALLUP, 2020

Among students who reported that their school offers opportunities to learn computer science, slightly more than four in 10 (43%) say they had been enrolled in a class in which computer science was taught as part of it, while 21% say they had been enrolled in a class focused exclusively on computer science.

These findings are among many highlighted in the recently released Google/Gallup report, Current Perspectives and Continuing Challenges in Computer Science Education in U.S. K-12 Schools (PDF download). This report presents results from the third study in Google and Gallup's multiyear, comprehensive research effort to understand perceptions about computer science and access to computer science in K-12 schools. The report includes results from surveys of students in grades 7 to 12, parents and guardians of students in these grades, teachers, principals, and superintendents.

More Than Half of Students Do Not Learn Computer Science in an Average Week

In a typical week, more than half of students, 55%, report spending no hours learning computer science. One in 10 students (10%) say they spend five hours or more learning computer science in a typical week. Additionally, girls are slightly more likely than boys to spend no hours learning computer science in an average week (59% versus 51%, respectively).

These findings align with previously released results about equity gaps (PDF download) in computer science.

More Than Half of U.S. Students Spend No Time Studying Computer Science in Typical Week

In a typical week, about how many hours, on average, do you spend learning computer science at school?

	Overall	Black students	Hispanic students	White students	Girls	Boys
	%	%	%	%	%	%
0 hours	55	50	48	58	59	51
1 hour	17	14	22	15	16	17
2, 3 or 4 hours	19	25	18	18	18	19
5 or more hours	10	11	12	8	6	13
GOOGLE/GALLUP, 2020

Educators Less Satisfied Than Families With Availability of CS Education

Less than half of students, parents and guardians, and educators are satisfied with the availability of computer science education opportunities at their schools. Four in 10 public school students in grades 7 to 12 say they are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the availability of computer science education at their schools, which is similar to the 42% of parents and guardians of public school students in these grades who are satisfied.

Fewer public school teachers are satisfied with the availability of computer science learning opportunities for students at their school, with 27% saying they are satisfied. This is driven largely by lower satisfaction among elementary teachers (20%). Somewhat fewer public (26%) than private school (35%) teachers are satisfied with the available computer science opportunities.

Few Students, Parents and Educators Satisfied With Availability of Computer Science

How satisfied are you with the availability of computer science education opportunities at your school/at your child's school/for students at your school?

	Students	Parents/Guardians	Teachers
	%	%	%
1 -- Very dissatisfied	7	6	10
2	12	10	24
3	26	26	33
4	22	23	19
5 -- Very satisfied	18	19	8
Don't know	14	16	7
GOOGLE/GALLUP, 2020

Few Students and Parents Have Concerns About Computer Science Learning Quality

Students and parents and guardians generally give good marks for computer science learning quality; still, few rate it as excellent. Three in four parents and guardians overall whose own child received computer science learning in the past year rate the quality of that learning as at least "good." This includes 44% who rate the quality as "very good" (30%) or "excellent" (14%).

Like parents and guardians, students surveyed in grades 7 through 12 rate the quality of the computer science learning they received in the past school year generally positively, with 73% rating it as at least "good," though, like parents and guardians, few (13%) rate it as excellent.

Students, Parents Generally Rate Quality of Computer Science Education as High

Please rate the quality of computer science learning that [you/your child] [have/has] received at school this year.

	Students	Parents/Guardians
	%	%
Poor	6	3
Fair	17	13
Good	33	31
Very good	27	30
Excellent	13	14
Don't know	5	9
Among students or parents/guardians who personally or whose child learned computer science at school in the past year
GOOGLE/GALLUP, 2020

Implications

Relatively few students, parents and educators are satisfied with the availability of computer science learning. Likewise, even among those with access to computer science education, parents and students are unlikely to rate the quality of the computer science learning their child/they received at school as "excellent."

With growing dependence on technology, there is a great and unmet need for computer science education in schools so that students learn the skills necessary to excel in their future workplaces. Students, parents and educators express a desire for more and better computer science learning opportunities, suggesting that expanded programs could help prepare today's students for the future economy.

(Gallup USA)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/320348/families-educators-dissatisfied-computer-science-access.aspx

658-43-19/Poll

New High Favors One-Party Control of U.S. Federal Government

Line graph. A record 41% of U.S. adults in 2020 say it is better to have a president who comes from the same party that controls Congress. The 23% in 2020 who favor having a president from one party and Congress controlled by another is near the record-low 20% from 2016.

The results are based on Gallup's annual Governance survey, conducted Aug. 31-Sept. 13, and come at a time when Americans are deciding whether to elect President Donald Trump to a second term in office. Republicans also control the Senate with a 53-47 majority -- which is at risk, given that more Republican-held seats than Democratic-held seats are thought to be vulnerable in the election. The Democrats have a large majority in the House that congressional election experts do not currently believe is threatened.

The prior high in preferences for one-party government occurred in 2012, when incumbent President Barack Obama was running for a second term. One year later, in the midst of a federal government shutdown tied to a dispute over funding the Affordable Care Act, a record-low 25% favored one-party government, with 38% saying it made no difference which parties held the White House and Congress.

Historically, a plurality of Americans have usually said party control of government makes no difference. In addition to 2012 and this year, the other exceptions were 2002 and 2018, both midterm election years, and 2005.

Over the past five years, an average 36% of U.S. adults have expressed a preference for unified party government and 24% for divided government -- a 12-percentage-point difference. Before that, from 2002 through 2014, the gap was just three points, with 31% favoring unified government and 28% divided government.

Majority of Republicans Prefer One-Party Control

Currently, 52% of Republicans, as well as 43% of Democrats, believe it is better to have one party control the presidency and Congress. Just 31% of independents agree, with nearly as many, 27%, preferring divided control of government.

Preference for One-Party or Divided Control of the Presidency and Congress, by Political Party, 2020

Do you think it is better for the country -- [ROTATED: to have a president who comes from the same political party that controls Congress, does it make no difference either way, or do you think it is better to have a president from one political party and Congress controlled by another]?

	Republicans	Independents	Democrats
	%	%	%
Same party	52	31	43
Different parties	17	27	23
No difference	27	36	30
GALLUP, AUG. 31-SEPT. 13, 2020

Republicans' current preference for one-party government has been exceeded only once, in 2018, when the party controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress. Historically, partisans' preferences have been shaped by whatever arrangement benefited their party most. As such, when Republican Presidents George W. Bush (2001-2008) and Trump (2017-2020) have been in office, Republican Party supporters were more likely than Democratic Party supporters to favor one-party government. When Democrat Barack Obama was in the White House, Democrats were generally more likely to favor one-party control of the federal government.

In nearly every year, independents have been less likely than both Republicans and Democrats to want the same party to control the White House and Congress. And while the typical pattern holds this year, the 32% of independents wanting one-party control is the highest measured for that group to date. The 43% of Democrats favoring one-party control this year exceeds what it was in several of the Obama years.

Line graph. Republicans' current 52% support for one-party government is down slightly from 59% in 2018 but one of their highest percentages to date. Democrats' support for one-party government is the highest it has been in a year when a Republican president was in office.

Implications

The consequences of divided versus one-party control of government are clear right now as Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate attempt to fill the open Supreme Court seat -- created by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's passing -- before the Nov. 3 federal elections. When Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 after Justice Antonin Scalia's death, the Republican-controlled Senate refused to consider the nomination. Given that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has no formal role in judicial confirmations, and a simple majority in the Senate is needed for confirmation, Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett seems likely to be confirmed.

Americans' preferences for one-party or divided government appear to be rooted in the desire to maximize their party's power more than philosophical considerations about what leads to better political outcomes. The poll was conducted before Ginsburg's death, so it is unclear whether Americans are any more, or less, likely to favor one-party or divided government today. The results of the November elections will shed light on whether Americans want to retain some form of divided government or give one party full control of the federal government.

(Gallup USA)

October 02, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/321158/new-high-favors-one-party-control-federal-government.aspx

658-43-20/Poll

Most Cuban American voters identify as Republican in 2020

Nationwide, 58% of Cuban registered voters say they affiliate with or lean toward the Republican Party, while 38% identify with the Democratic Party or lean Democratic, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted July 27-Aug. 2. By comparison, around two-thirds of Hispanic voters who are not Cuban (65%) identify as or lean Democratic, while 32% affiliate with the Republican Party.

Historically, Cuban Americans have backed the Republican Party in large numbers, but that support has at times softened as a new generation of U.S.-born, Democratic-leaning Cubans has come of age. In 2013, similar shares of Cuban registered voters identified with the Republican Party (47%) and the Democratic Party (44%). That same year, 60% of non-Cuban Hispanic voters identified as Democratic and 28% as Republican.

How we did this

As of 2018, the U.S. was home to 1.4 million Cuban eligible voters – defined as adult U.S. citizens – according to a Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Most (55%) were naturalized citizens who were born outside the U.S., and 65% lived in Florida. In 2018, Cubans (29%) and Puerto Ricans (27%) accounted for the largest Hispanic eligible voter populations in Florida, reflecting a Hispanic electorate in the state that has grown more diverse over the decades. The Cuban share was down from 49% in 1980.

Cubans in Florida have helped make the state’s Latino vote different from that of the nation overall. In 2016, 54% of Cubans in Florida voted for Donald Trump, compared with 35% of the state’s Latino voters overall and 28% of Latinos nationwide, according to exit polls. (A Pew Research Center study of the 2016 electorate based on validated voters found similar voting patterns among Latinos nationwide.)

Turnout among Cuban Americans has regularly been one of the highest among Hispanic eligible voter groups. In 2016, 58% of Cubans voted, compared with 55% of Dominicans, 49% of Salvadorans, 46% of Puerto Ricans and 44% of Mexicans, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data. The voter turnout rate for Latino eligible voters overall was 48%.

Since taking office in 2017, Trump has imposed several sanctions on Cuba, including restrictions on trade, travel and remittances, reversing the Obama administration’s expansion of diplomatic and economic ties with the island nation. By contrast, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said he would largely restore Obama-era policies toward Cuba.

Cuban American voters and the 2020 presidential election

Cuban American registered voters have mixed views of Trump heading into the November elections. About half (52%) say they approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president, while 45% disapprove. By comparison, only 26% of non-Cuban Hispanic voters approve of Trump and 70% disapprove. Trump’s ratings among these groups are nearly identical to those in a December 2019 national survey of Latino adults, taken before the coronavirus outbreak.

Cuban voters’ assessments of Trump are deeply polarized along party lines: 81% of Cuban Republicans approve of Trump, while 91% of Cuban Democrats disapprove of the president. Trump’s approval ratings are similarly partisan – and stable – among U.S. voters overall.

Most Cuban American registered voters say they are tuned in to the 2020 presidential campaign. Three-quarters (75%) say they have given a lot or some thought to the candidates running for president, with similar shares of Republicans and Democrats saying so.

Among Cuban voters, the prospect of a Trump victory provokes stronger reactions – both positive and negative – than the prospect of a Biden victory. About one-in-five Cuban voters (19%) say they would feel excited if Trump was reelected, and an equal share (19%) say they would feel angry. Another 34% say they would feel relieved by a Trump victory, while 26% would feel disappointed. By contrast, only 10% of Cuban voters say they would feel excited if Biden was elected, and 12% say they would feel angry. Meanwhile, 34% would feel relieved and 41% would feel disappointed by a Biden win.

The vast majority of Cuban American registered voters say the issues of the economy (88%) and health care (80%) are very important to their vote for president in 2020, the highest shares among the 12 issues included in the survey. While Cubans hold similar views to non-Cuban Hispanics (and U.S. Hispanics overall) on the importance of these two issues, the groups have different views in some areas. Most notably, a far higher share of Cuban voters than non-Cuban Hispanic voters say foreign policy is very important, 76% vs. 45%, reflecting in part the close immigrant ties many Cuban Americans have to the island. Cuban and non-Cuban Hispanic voters also differ on the importance of the issue of violent crime in their vote for president (78% vs. 62%).

(PEW)

October 02, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/02/most-cuban-american-voters-identify-as-republican-in-2020/

658-43-21/Poll

Americans are more positive about the long-term rise in U.S. racial and ethnic diversity than in 2016

Americans continue to mostly say these long-term shifts are neither good nor bad for the country. However, the share that views the long-term growth of racial and ethnic diversity as good for the U.S. is higher than it was in 2016.

Currently, 64% of U.S. adults say the prospect of a nation in the next 25 to 30 years in which Black Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans make up a majority of the population is neither good nor bad for the country. Nearly a quarter (24%) say this is a good thing, while fewer than half as many (11%) say it is bad, according to a national survey by Pew Research Center, conducted July 27-Aug. 2 among 11,001 adults. (The survey question did not include all racial and ethnic groups, such as Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives, or multiracial Americans, in its wording about the nation’s future diversity.)

How we did this

While these views have changed little since 2018, the public expresses more positive – and less negative – views of the long-term rise in racial and ethnic diversity than it did four years ago, during the last presidential campaign. Since then, the share saying a majority Black, Hispanic and Asian population is a good thing has increased by 10 percentage points, while there has been a comparable decline (11 points) in the share saying it is bad thing.

The overall decline in shares who say that the long-term growth in racial and ethnic diversity is bad for the country has been primarily driven by Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. While Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say this change would be bad for the country (19% of Republicans vs. 4% of Democrats), the share of Republicans who express this view has declined by 20 points since 2016.

Compared with 2016, Republicans are not substantially more likely to say that this would be good for the country (4% in 2016 and 9% today), but the share who say it is neither good nor bad for the country has increased by 15 points, making up an increasingly large majority of Republicans (72%).

On the other hand, a growing share of Democrats and Democratic leaners say that a majority Black, Latino and Asian nation is a good thing for the country; since 2016, the share saying this has increased by 15 percentage points to 38%. The share of Democrats who say it is neither good nor bad has declined 10 points since 2016 (to 57% today).

Compared with 2016, larger shares in nearly all demographic groups express positive views of the prospect of a U.S. where Black, Latino and Asian Americans make up a majority of the nation’s population. Still, majorities in most groups view this development as neither bad nor good for the country.

Black (46%), Asian (also 46%) and Hispanic adults (42%) are far more likely than White adults (14%) to say that the long-term growth in racial and ethnic diversity is a good thing for the country. Across racial and ethnic groups for which there is trend data, larger shares say this than did so in 2016. The increase has been especially striking among Hispanic adults (from 23% then to 42% now).

These differences across racial and ethnic groups persist among Democrats and Democratic leaners – White Democrats are less likely (28%) than Hispanic (49%) and Black Democrats (49%) to say that the prospect of a majority non-White nation is good for the country.

Within generational groups, Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely than older generations to view a Black, Latino and Asian majority as a good thing, and Millennials have become even more likely to hold this view compared with four years ago. But among those who view this population change as bad, there exists little generational difference. This is in part due to the large drops in shares over the past four years among older generations who say the prospect of a future U.S. where Black, Latino and Asian Americans are the majority is bad for the country.

There is also little attitudinal difference observed across education levels. Overall, those with only a high school degree or less have become less opposed toward the prospect of a diversifying population over the past four years, though a slightly larger share of college-educated Americans (28%) view this potential change as a good thing for the country.

(PEW)

October 01, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/01/americans-are-more-positive-about-the-long-term-rise-in-u-s-racial-and-ethnic-diversity-than-in-2016/

SOUTH AMERICA

658-43-22/Poll

64% of Brazilians prefer to prioritize social progress against economic growth in the post-pandemic recovery

Health and well-being of society are current priority issues worldwide.

Social development, encompassing aspects such as life expectancy, education, inclusion, etc., should be Brazil's priority when the pandemic comes to an end. At least that is what 64% of the country's interviewees say, that in the survey “ Covid-19: Recovery Preferences and Priorities ”, carried out by Ipsos for the Social Progress Imperative with 10,000 people from 13 countries - 1,000 of whom are Brazilians - chose to prioritize the social progress at the expense of economic growth in the post-Covid-19 resumption. As is to be expected, 36%, on the other hand, opted for the rise of the economy.
Globally, the preference for social progress is less: 53%. 47% already decided on economic growth. When we stratify the Brazilian result by age group, it is possible to see that the respondents who put the development of society first are, as a rule, the youngest. Among respondents under 25, 75% would prioritize social progress in post-pandemic resumption. Among those aged 25 to 34, it is 66%. Among those aged 25 to 49, 63%. Finally, 52% of respondents over 50 years old chose the social bias.
Health and well-being: world priority amid Covid-19
Thinking about the current situation in their own countries, the survey participants had to answer which of the two options they thought should be the focus of their nations' initiatives in the short term: economic growth or health and well-being. The second led easily. Considering the 10,000 ears, 72% believe that health and well-being should be prioritized, against 28% that support the development of the economy. In Brazil, the numbers are the same as the global index.
Three out of four (76%) Brazilian respondents under the age of 24 opted for the health and well-being of the population, the same percentage of the age group of those aged 25 to 34 years. Between 35 and 49 years old, it was 69%; among respondents over 50, 70%.
The online survey was conducted with 10,013 people from 13 countries aged 16 to 74 years. The data were collected between July 24th and August 7th, 2020. The margin of error for Brazil is 3.5 pp.

(YouGov)

September 21, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/pt-br/64-dos-brasileiros-preferem-priorizar-progresso-social-contra-crescimento-economico-na-retomada-pos

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

658-43-23/Poll

Europe wants Joe Biden to beat Donald Trump

Many are concerned the election won’t be free and fair

A victory for the Democratic challenger is most strongly desired in Denmark, where 80% want to see him win compared to only 6% for the Republican incumbent. The president performs best in Italy, but even here the 20% who want him returned for a second term are outnumbered almost three to one by the 58% who want Biden to win.

Here in Britain the public wants Joe Biden to win by 61% to Donald Trump’s 13%.

However, Europeans are less sure that a Biden victory will come to pass. Only in Denmark do more than half the population think the Democrat will win. Nevertheless, in every country people are more likely than not to think Biden is on course to become the 46th president of the United States.

Many of those questioned have doubts about the American political process. Across the seven countries, no more than 11% of people expect the election to be “completely free and fair”.

Britons, French, Germans and Swedes are noticeably more likely to think the election won’t be particularly free and fair than think it will be. The Danes and the Spanish are split, while Italians are slightly more likely to think the democratic process will be robust.

Large proportions also believe that Trump’s presidential campaign so far has been “mostly dishonest” (47-74%). By comparison, in every country surveyed, Joe Biden’s campaign is more likely to be seen as honest (26%-43%) than dishonest (7%-15%). However, far more people answered “don’t know” for the Democrat challenger than the Republican incumbent.

Europeans think Trump has been a bad president

Few Europeans think that Trump has distinguished himself as president – just 5-15% rate him a “great” or “good” president. Instead, large majorities in each country – from a low of 61% in Italy to a high of 82% in Denmark – think he has been “poor” or “terrible”.

Most Europeans also consider Trump’s time in office to have had a negative impact on their own country (50-69%), and on the world (68-84%). Substantial minorities even consider Trump to have had a negative impact on themselves personally (27-44%).

Just 4-17% think the president has had a positive impact in any of these areas.

Many have no view of Biden

Views on Biden are also tempered, with the proportion of people across the seven countries who think the Democrat would make a “great” or “good” president still fairly low, at 17-23%.

Instead, people are much more likely to either think Biden would make an average president (32-55%) or to have no sense of him in the first place (21-45% answered “don’t know”). Few, though, think he will make a poor or terrible president (6-13%).

That being said, 29-49% think Biden will have a positive impact on their own country, and 36-58% think he will have a positive impact on the world – although again large numbers of people say they “don’t know”. A minority of 7-18% expect Biden to have a negative impact.

On top of this, across a clutch of six areas – international relations, climate change, coronavirus, economics, terrorism and peace – in every country, on every measure, people across the seven European markets surveyed tend to think that the Democratic challenger would do a better job than President Trump.

Of these, Trump performs best on “improving the USA’s economy” (16-29%) and “combating international terrorism” (16-27%). Biden scores highest on “improving the USA’s relationship with your country” (43-69%).

(YouGov)

October 04, 2020

Source: https://yougov.dk/news/2020/10/08/europe-wants-joe-biden-beat-trump/

658-43-24/Poll

In U.S. and UK, Globalization Leaves Some Feeling ‘Left Behind’ or ‘Swept Up’

(PEW)

October 05, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/2020/10/05/in-u-s-and-uk-globalization-leaves-some-feeling-left-behind-or-swept-up/

658-43-25/Poll

Monitoring the World's Water Access and Use

Northwestern University and UNESCO are working with Gallup to expand surveys that include the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale to 31 countries in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. With nationally representative surveys in all of these countries, including India, China and Brazil, researchers will now be able to benchmark water insecurity among roughly half the world's adult population.

20200923_Water@2x

Map. 31 countries are planned to be surveyed for water insecurity experiences in 2020: Mauritius, Guatemala, Honduras, Congo-Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, China, Brazil, Guinea, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria.

The HWISE scale provides insights into how problems with water shape the daily lives of average people, such as diet, hygiene, and even interpersonal relationships. It also illustrates how water security varies across cultural, political and geographical settings. Using the HWISE scale gives researchers, policymakers and analysts a deeper understanding of a number of other potential issues related to access to water and how populations use the resource. These include:

The relationship between access to water and wellbeing
How gender and other socioeconomic factors affect water security
How water insecurity relates to food insecurity

The HWISE survey is planned to be repeated in 2021, with a further expansion of the number of countries. This information will provide a deeper understanding of how people across the entire world access and use water and how that is changing across time, revealing the pockets of vulnerability and water insecurity that exist.

By exploring access to safe water and other related topics, policymakers will be able to pinpoint where and among whom water insecurity is most acute, prioritize resources, and develop interventions tailored to specific countries, regions, cities, and villages. They will also be able to track progress toward achieving water security.

(Gallup USA)

September 29, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/320825/monitoring-world-water-access.aspx