Austrians do not expect a Christmas miracle when it comes to Corona. 82% expect the situation to get worse (18%) or at best to stay the way it is now (64%). This is accompanied by the fear that you or a family member will become infected with the coronavirus. This value has increased continuously from 45% to 60% since October.

Interestingly, the population's willingness to vaccinate has decreased by seven percentage points to 49% compared to the Gallup survey, from about three weeks ago. At the moment, 22% would be sure to get vaccinated and 27% would be likely. The decline was particularly pronounced among women. Only 38% would currently be vaccinated, a month ago this figure was 48%.

(Gallup Austria)

December 16, 2020

Source: https://www.gallup.at/de/unternehmen/studien/corona-oesterreicher-erwarten-kein-rasches-ende/

669-43-22/Country Profile: Austria

SUMMARY OF POLLS

ASIA

(Singapore)

One in ten Singaporeans see romantic relationships strain since pandemic

Latest YouGov data examines what impact the global coronavirus pandemic has had on Singaporeans personally, looking at how this has affected their mental health, romantic relationships, family relationships and friendships. While a lucky three in ten (30%) see no change to their romantic relationships, over one in ten (11%) say their relationships have become strained as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. (YouGov)

December 18, 2020

MENA

(Lebanon)

Taking Lebanon’s Pulse after the Beirut Explosion

In the sixth and latest wave of Arab Barometer, we asked 1,000 Lebanese citizens questions related to the Beirut port explosion and Lebanon’s political system. These results suggest that Lebanon’s economic crisis and poverty remain the top concerns of Lebanese citizens rather than the effects of the blast. And, although Lebanese prefer a civil state in theory, they are hesitant to concede and compromise their confessional privileges. (Arab Barometer)

December 15, 2020

AFRICA

(Uganda)

Many Ugandans mistrust the Electoral Commission, question its impartiality, Afrobarometer survey shows

Only about half of Ugandans think the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) is impartial, and fewer than half say they trust it, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows. In its Round 8 survey conducted in October 2019, Afrobarometer found substantial doubts about the neutrality and trustworthiness of the body charged with managing Uganda’s 2021 elections. (Afrobarometer)

December 18, 2020

WEST EUROPE

(Finland)

Life With Or Without Children?

The year 2020 was in many ways different from its predecessor. At the beginning of the year, there was a lot of talk about how to address the declining birth rates. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across our planet and took over everyone’s minds. How would a pandemic and the social changes it brings affect the birth rate of Finns in the longer term? (Taloustutkimus)

December 14, 2020

(Sweden)

Most important political issue

Healthcare, which after a couple of calm summer months with a low spread of covid-19 decreased in importance in the September survey, is once again becoming increasingly important for voters. The question increases significantly from 56 to 63 percent in importance in this survey. The issues of immigration / integration and law and order are in shared second place and are still considered important for a majority of the Swedish people. (Novus)

December 10, 2020

(Italy)

Young people and sport: what snack?

Italian children and young people have the - correct - habit of having a snack: 99%, in fact, indulge in an afternoon snack, frequently alternating sweet and savory. At the same time, however, only 6 out of 10 young people (under 13) regularly engage in physical activity. Central Italy is at the top of this ranking, with 77% of young practitioners ahead of Northern Italy (60%). Further behind is Southern Italy, where only 1 out of 2 children do sports. (BVA Doxa)

December 12, 2020

(Austria)

Austrians Resign And Do Not Expect A Quick End

December 16, 2020

(UK)

Is it acceptable to re-gift presents?

Tis’ the season of naff secret Santa presents from colleagues, and well-intentioned but misguided gifts from distant relatives. But what to do with all these appreciated yet unloved gifts? Some may choose to pass on unwanted presents to those who might better enjoy them, but is re-gifting an acceptable practice according to Brits? (YouGov)

December 15, 2020

(UK)

How has coronavirus affected Britons’ takeaway-buying habits?

With much of the nation locked indoors for large portions of the year, one sector that should have benefitted from coronavirus restrictions is the takeaway industry. New YouGov data reveals how Britons’ hot food delivery habits have changed as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, 14% of Britons were getting a takeaway delivered to their home at least once a week. A further 26% did so once or twice a month. Only 28% say they never had takeaway delivered. (YouGov)

December 16, 2020

(UK)

Which Christmas traditions will Britons keep up despite COVID?

Many Britons will be celebrating Christmas differently this year. New figures from YouGov show how people are adapting to the pandemic during the festive period. Most are buying presents (86%), putting up decorations (73%) and sending cards (61%) like they normally would. But while just over a third (36%) say they will do their Christmas shopping in-store like other years, a similar proportion (38%) will avoid it this year. (YouGov)

December 18, 2020

(UK)

What do Britons have for their Christmas dinner?

For the main meat of the average British Christmas dinner, turkey (54%) is the clear favourite with a 44-percentage point lead on the second most popular meat, Chicken (10%). Previous YouGov research showed that turkey was the also the preferred meat of choice for 52% of Britons in their ideal Christmas dinner. (YouGov)

December 17, 2020

(UK)

Majority of public support making £20 per week Universal Credit uplift permanent

In April, the government introduced the £20 a week increase in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit for families during the pandemic. The survey shows strong support for this increase, with three quarters (74%) supporting the increase during the pandemic and only one in ten (nine percent) opposing this. (Ipsos MORI)

December 18, 2020

NORTH AMERICA

What we’ve learned about Americans’ views of technology during the time of COVID-19

December 18, 2020

Black eligible voters have accounted for nearly half of Georgia electorate’s growth since 2000

Black eligible voters in Georgia have played a significant role in driving the growth of the state’s electorate over the past two decades. Between 2000 and 2019, Georgia’s eligible voter population grew by 1.9 million, with nearly half of this increase attributed to growth in the state’s Black voting population, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of new census data.

(PEW)

December 15, 2020

Reduced Majority in U.S. Critical of Healthcare System

Six in 10 Americans believe the U.S. healthcare system is in a state of crisis (16%) or has major problems (45%), the lowest in Gallup's trend since 1994, except for a 2001 reading. The figure was closer to seven in 10 from 2003 to 2018, but had dropped below that last year, even before the coronavirus pandemic plagued the nation. (Gallup USA)

December 18, 2020

Half of College Students Say COVID-19 May Impact Completion

About half of currently enrolled college students nationally who are pursuing a bachelor's degree (49%) think it is likely or very likely that COVID-19 will negatively impact their ability to complete their degree or credential. The slight majority of students pursuing their associate degree (56%) say the same. (Gallup USA)

December 15, 2020

AUSTRALIA

Six in ten Australians plan domestic holiday over next 12 months

In the face of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many Aussies are looking ahead to travelling over the coming year, new research from YouGov reveals. The data, collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, shows that six in ten (59%) people plan to holiday domestically in the next 12 months, making them the travellers third-most likely to take such a vacation. (YouGov)

December 09, 2020

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

Arabs’ Evaluations of their Governments’ Response to COVID-19

December 17, 2020

Women in many countries face harassment for clothing deemed too religious – or too secular

Religious restrictions around the world often target women, who in many countries face censure because their clothing is considered too religious – or not religious enough. These restrictions frequently take the form of social harassment by individuals or groups, but also sometimes involve official government actions. Women in 56 countries experienced social hostilities – that is, harassment from individuals or groups – due to clothing that was deemed to violate religious or secular dress norms, according to the sources analyzed for a recent Pew Research Center study of 198 nations. (PEW)

December 16, 2020

Views of Russia and Putin remain negative across 14 nations

Russia’s image in the world and that of its leader, Vladimir Putin, have been on the decline for years, and a Pew Research Center survey conducted this summer in 14 advanced economies shows that continues to be the case. A median of 66% of adults in those countries express an unfavorable view of Russia, with majorities in 12 of the 14 countries holding that view. Only a median of 29% hold a positive opinion of Russia. (PEW)

December 16, 2020

ASIA

669-43-01/Poll

One in ten Singaporeans see romantic relationships strain since pandemic

While a lucky three in ten (30%) see no change to their romantic relationships, over one in ten (11%) say their relationships have become strained as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. A small percentage (3%) have seen their relationships end, however amongst younger Singaporeans (aged to 18 to 24) this number doubles (7%). The pandemic hasn’t been all bad news for romance though, two in ten (20%) say their relationships have become stronger, and almost one in twenty (4%) began a new relationship. The remaining quarter (24%) remained single this pandemic year, and 7% preferred not to say.

Relationships of the romantic kind are not the only one that has seen a strain. One in seven (14%) of Singaporeans say their relationship with their family has been strained since the outbreak. Men are more likely to see family relationships strain than women (17% vs. 11%). Over one in five (22%) attested to building a stronger relationship, and 8% have regained contact with family members. Those between the age of 18 and 34 are twice as likely to say their relationship with the family has gotten stronger, compared with those over 55 (25% vs. 17%).

When it comes to friendships, one in seven (14%) see their friendships strained, but amongst younger Singaporeans (18 to 24) this is far more likely (23%). Data shows that younger Singaporeans have had a hard time with friendships since the outbreak. While a small percentage (3%) have had their friendship end, this is twice as likely for those aged 18 to 24 (7%).

The pandemic has also affected Singaporeans mentally. Almost a quarter (23%) currently live with some form of mental health condition, the most common of which is an anxiety disorder (9%) and depression (7%). The pandemic has taken a toll on about half (54%) of Singaporeans mental health. Almost two in five (38%) say the pandemic has affected their mental health ‘slightly’ negatively, over one in ten (12%) say this has been ‘moderately’ negative and the remaining 4% say this has been ‘very’ negative. Three in ten (30%) see no changes to their mental health, and a small percentage (9%) say their mental health has changed for the better.

(YouGov)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://sg.yougov.com/en-sg/news/2020/12/18/one-ten-singaporeans-see-romantic-relationships-st/

MENA

669-43-02/Poll

Taking Lebanon’s Pulse after the Beirut Explosion

The following blog written by Michael Robbins sets out some of the main findings.

Taking Lebanon’s Pulse after the Beirut Explosion

Lebanon is a country in crisis on multiple fronts. Amid an ongoing political and financial crisis, the country has also suffered from the global COVID pandemic in 2020. These challenges were compounded by the massive explosion in Beirut’s port on August 4, which led to hundreds of deaths and widespread destruction of homes and businesses in the country’s capital city.

Despite the horror of the Beirut explosion, relatively few Lebanese believe that this is the most pressing issue facing the country. Only 16 percent say the government’s primary focus should be on the reconstruction of Beirut compared with 37 percent who say reducing poverty and 32 percent who say financial reforms. Even in Beirut itself, only one-in-five (19 percent) say the city’s reconstruction is the most pressing issue compared with nearly half (48 percent) who say banking and financial reforms should take priority.

(Arab Barometer)

December 15, 2020

Source: https://www.arabbarometer.org/2020/12/taking-lebanons-pulse-after-the-beirut-explosion/

AFRICA

669-43-03/Poll

Many Ugandans mistrust the Electoral Commission, question its impartiality, Afrobarometer survey shows

Only about half of Ugandans think the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) is impartial, and fewer than half say they trust it, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows.

In its Round 8 survey conducted in October 2019, Afrobarometer found substantial doubts about the neutrality and trustworthiness of the body charged with managing Uganda’s 2021 elections.

Public trust in how elections are organized and superintended is a central element in the legitimacy of any electoral exercise. As Uganda approaches general elections, these findings invite a critical reflection on the independence of the Electoral Commission to avoid casting a shadow over electoral outcomes.

(Afrobarometer)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://www.afrobarometer.org/press/many-ugandans-mistrust-electoral-commission-question-its-impartiality-afrobarometer-survey

WEST EUROPE

669-43-04/Poll

LIFE WITH OR WITHOUT CHILDREN?

In June 2020, together with Taloustutkimus, we conducted a Life with or Without Children survey, which was answered by 1,046 people aged 18–45. The survey examined the opinions, thoughts and personal experiences of Finns of childbearing age in connection with having a child and child dreams. 70% of the respondents did not have children at the time of the survey, and for half the issue was not yet relevant in their own lives. Less than a third of childless people stated that they did not want to have children. The proportion of insecure was also relatively high, with one-fifth of childless men and a quarter of women not knowing whether they wanted to have children.

According to the Life with or Without Children survey, the COVID-19 pandemic has not affected Finnish child acquisition plans. For respondents with children, the pandemic has not affected plans to have more children (88% of men and 86% of women). The pandemic has also not negatively affected those who hope to have their first child (88% of men and 81% of women). Due to the pandemic, nine per cent of women and three per cent of men who want children are greatly delaying or considering having children. It should be noted that the situation may have changed a lot since the survey was conducted in June, and the long-term effects of a pandemic can only be assessed after years.

One-fifth of women and one-tenth of men thought that a wider sharing of fertility information alongside contraceptive education could be one way to raise awareness of fertility. In particular, younger respondents with primary and vocational education wanted more information. Information could be provided on the duration of fertility and when to start thinking about starting a family and having children before age becomes an obstacle, especially if you want more than one child.

In the survey, a quarter of women (23%) would like more widely available fertility treatments, compared to 11% of men. The availability of fertility treatments is one way of influencing birth rates and their role can be expected to increase in the future . In recent years, the popularity of fertility treatments has grown, and expertise and treatment options have increased. In 2018, 5.4 per cent of all children born in Finland had started fertility treatments. Public health care provides fertility treatments according to well-defined criteria. The queues for access to treatment are quite long in some parts of Finland. During the worst time of the pandemic, several fertility treatment clinics were closed from March to May, with some continuing treatment only in the fall, accumulating more care debt and queuing. It remains to be seen how this will affect birth rates in the coming years.

When asked what should change in order for the birth rate to rise, as many as two-thirds (66%) of women thought that the solution would be greater equality in working life. Discrimination against pregnancy and family leave is still a serious problem in Finland and affects the career plans of women and also men in many different ways, the equal utilization of family leave and young adults' ideas about starting a family. One might therefore think that any fixed-term contract that is not renewed due to pregnancy will take us further from our goal?

Both sexes, regardless of place of residence, agreed that the birth rate would be supported by a more child-friendly social atmosphere. This opinion was shared by more than half of both men and women (54%). Many of us office workers in the past have spent much of the year at their home office, perhaps accompanied by distance school students and kindergarteners. There has been more of the sounds of life in teams and zooms than before. Could this change be the beginning of a more child-friendly atmosphere?

Of the issues raised in the survey, there is hardly a single shortcut to happiness and birth rate growth, but as we know, the end result is the sum of many factors. Birth rates can be influenced by awareness-raising and policy decisions, but work communities also have an important role to play. And, of course, for each of us in what kind of atmosphere we ourselves want to be creating through speeches and actions.

(Taloustutkimus)

December 14, 2020

Source: https://vaestoliitonblogi.com/2020/12/14/elamaa-lapsilla-vai-ilman/?fbclid=IwAR2kdte9bP3haWbQnFAm0roJej7yyavInUKPSbxxFq7DK9R4NoEdqxqKVbU

Most important political issue

669-43-05/Poll

Novus November 2020: Healthcare still number one, immigration and law & order in shared second place

Below are the top ten most important political issues according to the Swedish people.

Healthcare remains the issue most people consider to be one of the most important political issues, followed by immigration and integration and law and order - issues where more than half consider to be the most important political issues. In the top ten list is a new issue, Socialförsäkringarna, compared with the previous survey from September.

The healthcare issue is once again becoming increasingly important for voters after losing importance in the survey after the summer. The question increases significantly in importance from 56 to 63 percent (+ 7%) compared with September. Immigration and integration as well as law and order are now both in a shared second place. The fourth most important issue is the issue of school and education, which increases significantly from 44 to 49 percent (+ 5%) compared with the previous survey. The question of Social Insurance, place 10, increases significantly from 15 to 21 percent (+ 6%) compared with September and pushes the question of gender equality from the top ten list.

If we only look at the first election and a division into party sympathy (Table 2), ie. the absolutely most important issue according to the Swedes, the positionings will be somewhat different. Instead of healthcare, immigration and integration is the most important issue, followed by the Environment and Climate issue in second place. The health care issue is instead the third most important issue for voters divided by the issue of law and order.

Among party sympathizers, the issue of immigration and integration is mainly most important for SD sympathizers, but also among M and KD sympathizers, but not very high priority by any of the other party sympathizers. The issue of Environment and Climate is mainly most important among V- and MP-sympathizers and partly also among S-sympathizers. The health care issue is most important among S-sympathizers and among the insecure voters.

(Novus)

December 10, 2020

Source: https://novus.se/novus-svensk-valjaropinion/valjarforstaelse/viktigaste-politiska-fragan/

669-43-06/Poll

Young people and sport: what snack?

Italian children and young people have the - correct - habit of having a snack: 99%, in fact, indulge in an afternoon snack, frequently alternating sweet and savory.

At the same time, however, only 6 out of 10 young people (under 13) regularly engage in physical activity. Central Italy is at the top of this ranking, with 77% of young practitioners ahead of Northern Italy (60%). Further behind is Southern Italy, where only 1 out of 2 children do sports.

This is what emerges from the DoxaJunior 2019 research which analyzed the snack of Italian children and young people (5-13 years), evaluating, on the one hand, any differences in approach, in the quantities and types of food, between that of those who play sports and that of those who do not and, on the other, the relationship between young Italians under 13 and sport, to understand where we are with the spread of youth sports in our country.

CHILDREN WHO DO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ALTERNATE SWEET AND SAVORY SNACKS - Children between the ages of 5 and 13 who practice physical activity always have (99%) snacks and alternate a little more often than children who do not do sport salty snack with the sweet one. Among the favorite sweet foods as a snack, in the afternoon, there are packaged snacks (26%), the classic bread and jam or with hazelnut cream (23%), fresh fruit or fruit salad (17%) and non-filled biscuits ( 15%). Among the savory ones, however, we find bread with cold cuts or cheeses (15%), pizzetta (14%), crackers, schiacciatina or breadsticks (12%) and focaccia (10%). The afternoon snack is mainly done at home - a habit of 7 out of 10 children and teenagers - while 16% do it outside the home (but not at school), 6% do it at school and, finally,

THE SNACK OF CHILDREN WHO PLAY SPORTS IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THOSE WHO DO NOT - In general, the study showed that there are no particular differences between the snack of children who play sports compared to that of those who don't. A fact that makes us reflect on the fact that the difference in the state of health, body weight and well-being of the younger generations is not determined in particular by what they eat as a snack, but mainly by sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity.

6 OUT OF 10 YOUNG PEOPLE PLAY SPORTS: CENTRAL ITALY IS THE BUTTON HEART OF SPORTS ACTIVITY - If the spotlight is turned on the part of the Doxa research dedicated to the sporting activity of children and young people, we discover that today 6 out of 10 young people play sports in Italian , equal to about 3 million children and young people aged 5 to 13. The research shows that Central Italy is the most virtuous area in terms of movement and physical activity: in this area, 77% of children and young people play sports, surpassing the North which stops at 60%. Unfortunately, the situation changes in the South and in the Islands. Here, 1 in 2 boys does not play sports (50% against 40% of the national average). Also in this geographical area, there is also the highest rate of childhood obesity.

(BVA Doxa)

December 12, 2020

Source: https://www.bva-doxa.com/giovani-e-sport-quale-merenda/

669-43-07/Poll

AUSTRIANS RESIGN AND DO NOT EXPECT A QUICK END

(Gallup Austria)

December 16, 2020

Source: https://www.gallup.at/de/unternehmen/studien/corona-oesterreicher-erwarten-kein-rasches-ende/

669-43-08/Poll

Is it acceptable to re-gift presents?

Most Britons would not be too upset if someone passed on one of their gifts to someone else

Overall, 57% of Britons think that re-gifting a present to another person is acceptable, with 38% saying this is “fairly” acceptable and just shy of one in five (19%) saying re-gifting is “very” acceptable.

A third of Britons (37%) disagree, and say that it’s not acceptable to pass on unwanted gifts to others, including 11% saying doing so is “not at all” acceptable.

Close to two-thirds of women think re-gifting is acceptable (64%) compared to only half of men (50%) who say the same.

Women are more likely than men to have re-gifted presents

With a majority of Britons saying passing on presents is acceptable; how many are willing to own up to doing so?

Two in five (40%) Britons say they have used an unwanted present from one person as a present for another, compared to 55% who say they haven’t done so.

Given that women are more likely than men to think that re-gifting is acceptable, it is no surprise to see that they are also much more likely to have passed on a present themselves. In fact, women are nearly twice as likely (52%) as men (27%) so say they have re-gifted presents.

It’s all very well endorsing passing on a gift to someone else, but what if it was something you’d put time and care into picking out for your recipient to them give away? Most (60%) say they would not be upset if their present was passed on to someone else, compared to just over three in ten (32%) who would be upset.

Younger people are split on the issue, with two in five (42%) of Britons aged 18-24 saying they would be upset if someone re-gifted a present they had purchased compared to 46% who would not. This sentiment fades with age however, as the majority in each of the other age groups say they would not be upset by someone re-gifting a present they had given.

(YouGov)

December 15, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2020/12/15/it-acceptable-re-gift-presents

669-43-09/Poll

How has coronavirus affected Britons’ takeaway-buying habits?

Habits have changed in both directions, but the most frequent orderers are getting more deliveries since lockdown began

Prior to the onset of the pandemic, 14% of Britons were getting a takeaway delivered to their home at least once a week. A further 26% did so once or twice a month. Only 28% say they never had takeaway delivered.

The younger Britons are, the more likely they are to order takeaways. More than six in ten 18-24 year olds (62%) ordered takeaways at least once a month prior to coronavirus, as did 64% of 25-34 year olds. By contrast, just 40% of 45-54 year olds and only 19% of those aged 55 and above did so.

Since the disease struck, takeaway habits have changed – in both directions. A quarter of Britons (26%) say they have been getting more takeaways, while 21% say they have been ordering fewer.

Those who have been ordering less frequently are the ones most likely to have been cutting back: 30-36% of those who previously ordered takeaways once every 2 months or less frequently say they have made orders less often, compared to 24-25% of those who ordered once a month or more frequently.

At the same time, frequent takeaway orderers have upped their consumption of hot home deliveries. Around four in ten of those who order takeaways at least once a month before the COVID-19 outbreak say they are now ordering more frequently than before. A similar proportion of those who ordered every 2-3 months say the same, while only 17-20% of those who previously made orders only once every 4 months or less often have upped their consumption.

The results also show that 8% of those who never had takeaways prior to the outbreak have since placed some orders.

Some Britons would consider takeaway for Christmas Day

Although Christmas is traditionally a time for a big home-cooked roast, the results show that a small minority of Britons would consider getting their food from an external source this year. One in nine Britons (11%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” on Christmas Day.

Those who ordered takeaways at least once a week before COVID-19 are the most likely to say they will would consider having their Christmas dinner brought to them, at 23%.

(YouGov)

December 16, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/food/articles-reports/2020/12/16/how-has-coronavirus-affected-britons-takeaway-buyi

669-43-10/Poll

Which Christmas traditions will Britons keep up despite COVID?

While most people are buying presents and putting up decorations, many are skipping activities such as visiting family and Christmas shopping in-store

Many Britons will be celebrating Christmas differently this year. New figures from YouGov show how people are adapting to the pandemic during the festive period.

Most are buying presents (86%), putting up decorations (73%) and sending cards (61%) like they normally would. But while just over a third (36%) say they will do their Christmas shopping in-store like other years, a similar proportion (38%) will avoid it this year.

Just under a quarter of Brits (23%) plan to travel to see friends and family, while over two fifths (43%) who normally do will not this year.

A fifth of the public (19%) are still planning on having a festive dinner with friends, despite there only being a brief window over Christmas when household mixing is allowed in many parts of the country. Just over a third (35%) who would normally have similar plans are avoiding it this year.

One in six (17%) are also hosting or attending a Christmas party – rising to one in four (24%) among 25- to 34-year-olds. But twice as many people who usually would do the same (39%) are staying home.

Similarly, only 11% of Britons plan to go to the pub around Christmas – although they might not get the chance with restrictions increasing in many places.

While outdoor Christmas markets are allowed regardless of what tier you’re in, only one in twenty people (5%) plan to visit one. About half of Britons (48%) say they usually would but are skipping it.

The same is true for pantomimes, which are allowed in tiers one and two. Only 1% of public plan to see one this year, while a fifth (21%) who have gone in other years are abstaining or unable to go.

(YouGov)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2020/12/18/which-christmas-traditions-will-britons-keep-despi

669-43-11/Poll

What do Britons have for their Christmas dinner?

Roast potatoes and gravy are the most ubiquitous items on the Christmas dinner, with only around half opting for turkey

In previous years, YouGov has asked Britons what their ideal Christmas Day dinner would feature, but this year new YouGov research explores what Britons actually have on their plate at Christmas.

The Great British Christmas dinner is… turkey and roast potatoes

Vegetarian alternatives are the main for 8% of Christmas dinners, but are more popular among the young (13% of 18-24-year olds versus 7% of over 65s). Meat free substitutes are also more favoured by women (12%) than men (5%).

Other meats had at Christmas time but less popular include beef (7%), lamb (3%), pork (3%). The other birds come in last with goose and duck only featuring in 2% and 1% of Christmas meals respectively.

When it comes to sides, the humble yet crisp roast potato reigns supreme. Last year roast potatoes defeated pigs in blankets to be crowned the single best Christmas food in a knock-out style competition, unsurprising given that 88% of Britons will have them as part of their typical Christmas lunch, the most popular element overall.

Gravy is a close second, featuring on eight out of ten (80%) of Christmas dinners, vastly outcompeting other condiments such as cranberry sauce (41%), bread sauce (15%) and ketchup (2%).

Of the vegetables, carrots are the second most common sight on a Christmas dinner (74%) however, only 65% of Britons previously picked out carrots for their ideal Christmas dinner, meaning around 9% of the population could be begrudgingly eating carrots this year and dreaming of something else.

Despite their reputation, Brussels Sprout are the second most common vegetable, appearing on 66% of Britons Christmas dinners, followed by 59% who typically have parsnips.

Yorkshire puddings, despite being a traditional pairing for beef rather than turkey, are also a common choice (50%).

Less common sides at Christmas include broccoli (44%), peas (38%), the infamously non-traditional cauliflower (34%) and mashed potatoes (30%).

(YouGov)

December 17, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/food/articles-reports/2020/12/17/what-do-britons-have-their-christmas-dinner

669-43-12/Poll

Majority of public support making £20 per week Universal Credit uplift permanent

New polling by Ipsos MORI for The Health Foundation shows a majority of the public support making the £20 per week Universal Credit uplift permanent.

The Health Foundation has today released new polling data with Ipsos MORI looking at the public’s attitudes towards the Government’s measures to tackle the public health and economic impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, the increase is currently expected to be reversed in April 2021. The data shows that a majority (59%) of the public support making the £20 increase in Universal Credit permanent beyond April 2021, with one in five (20%) opposing this.

The Health Foundation/Ipsos MORI research also finds that public support for the UK government's response to the pandemic has fallen further since May. Only 39% of the public think the government has handled the pandemic well, a fall of 21 percentage points from 60% in May. However there is a clear divide on this along political lines, with 71% of Conservative voters saying the UK Government has handled the pandemic well, compared with just 15% of Labour voters.

A growing majority of the public think that the UK Government has not handled the Coronavirus outbreak well - Ipsos MORI

Other findings include:

A majority of the public (57%) supports the principle of applying tighter restrictions in areas with higher cases of the virus. However, a significant minority (35%) think the restrictions should apply equally, regardless of levels of the virus.
Around half (49%) think the measures the Government has taken so far to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak do not go far enough (no change from July when this was 50%). Since May the public have become less likely to think that the measures are about right. In November, only around one third (33%) think the measures are about right, down from 40% in July and 58% in May. The public are now more likely to think that the measures the Government has taken go too far than in July (up from six per cent in July to 14% in November).
The public is relatively divided on whether or not it is possible to equally protect public health and the economy during the pandemic. While 45% think it is possible, 37% think it is not, and 18% do not offer an opinion or do not know.
People continue to be very concerned about the longer-term impacts of COVID-19. Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) are concerned about the risk COVID-19 presents to the health and wellbeing of the nation, while even more (94%) are concerned about the risk to health and wellbeing of the knock-on impact of Coronavirus on lifestyles and the economy - with more very concerned than in July (up from 67% to 72%).

(Ipsos MORI)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/majority-public-support-making-20-pounds-week-universal-credit-uplift-permanent

NORTH AMERICA

669-43-13/Poll

What we’ve learned about Americans’ views of technology during the time of COVID-19

When the coronavirus outbreak led to widespread shutdowns and stay-at-home orders throughout the country in March, many Americans were forced to adapt and shift parts of their daily routines. Some of these adaptations have relied heavily on technology – including adults working from home and students engaging in online learning. Many other activities – like social gatherings, fitness classes, school activities and medical appointments – went virtual for a time, though some of these activities have resumed in person in many places.

Over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, Pew Research Center has studied Americans’ attitudes about the role and effectiveness of various technologies and their views about digital privacy and data collection as it relates to the pandemic. Here is what we found.

The internet has been an important part of Americans’ lives

Hispanic adults, college graduates and adults under 50 are especially likely to say the internet has been essential during the coronavirus outbreak

A month into the COVID-19 outbreak, 87% of U.S. adults said the internet had been at least important for them personally during the outbreak, including 53% who deemed the internet as “essential” for them personally, according to a survey conducted in April 2020. Americans’ views on the importance of the internet during that time varied greatly by age and educational attainment. Adults under the age of 50 were far more likely than those ages 50 and older to say the internet has been essential for them during the outbreak (63% vs. 41%). And while 65% of college graduates said that the internet had been essential for them during the outbreak, those shares dropped to about half or fewer for those with some college experience or high school education or less.

Most Americans view a major interruption to their internet, cellphone service as a very or moderately big problem during COVID-19 outbreak

At the same time, roughly half of adults (49%) said that a major interruption in their internet or cellphone service during the coronavirus outbreak would be a very big problem for daily life in their household, according to a March survey. Another 28% said it would present a moderately big problem, and 16% said it would be a small problem.

Again, age and level of formal education are factors. Adults under the age of 65 were more likely than those 65 and older to say this type of outage would be a very big problem. And those with a bachelor’s or advanced degree were more likely than those with lower levels of educational attainment to say this.

Despite early fears about the internet buckling under pressure as traffic rose substantially since the beginning of the pandemic in the U.S., internet performance remained mostly stable and providers say speeds have decreased only slightly in some areas.

64% of Americans say the internet, phones will help but won’t replace in-person contact during COVID-19 outbreak

But even though the internet and mobile phones helped Americans fill the gap left by the decline in face-to-face contact with others, a majority of Americans (64%) said in March that the internet and phones would be useful but not be an adequate substitute for in-person interactions. On the other hand, 27% of adults said that conducting these everyday interactions online or by telephone because of recommended limits on social contact during the COVID-19 outbreak would be just as good as in-person contact. Roughly three-quarters of college graduates (73%) said that if their everyday interactions had to be done online or by phone, it would help but not be a replacement for in-person contact. That figure was lower among those who have some college experience (63%) and those with a high school education or less (56%).

Dependence on the internet and mobile phones raised concerns about affordability

Hispanic and lower-income tech users are especially worried about paying home broadband, cellphone bills

Even as majorities deemed the internet important during the outbreak and described a potential disruption to their services as problematic, many Americans – particularly those with lower incomes – were concerned about paying for this connectivity. About three-in-ten broadband users (28%) said they worried a lot or some about paying their home broadband bill over the next few months, according to an April survey. Similarly, 30% of smartphone users expressed some or a lot of worry about paying for their cellphone bill over the next few months. Hispanics and adults who live in households with lower incomes were among those who were most likely to say they were worried about paying for these services. For instance, about half or more of broadband and smartphone users with lower incomes said they worried a lot about paying for both broadband and cellphone bills, compared with about one-quarter of those with middle incomes and roughly one-in-ten of those with higher incomes who expressed the same amount of worry.

Despite notable shares saying they were worried about paying their broadband and cellphone bills, a majority of adults overall said the government does not have a responsibility to ensure all Americans have a high-speed internet connection (62%) or cellphone services (65%) at home during the coronavirus outbreak, according to the same April survey. For both home internet and cellphone services, Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party were more likely than Republicans and their leaners to think the government should be responsible for ensuring access.

The pandemic highlighted concerns about the digital divide due to school closures and the shift to online learning

Roughly six-in-ten parents with lower incomes said it’s likely their homebound children would face at least one digital obstacle to doing their schoolwork

As schools around the country shut down due to the spread of the coronavirus, many parents were worried that the lack of a computer or high-speed internet connection at home would hinder their children’s ability to keep up with schoolwork. About six-in-ten lower-income parents with children whose K-12 schools closed in the spring (59%) said in an April survey it was at least somewhat likely that their child would face at least one digital obstacle while doing their schoolwork at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Three-in-ten parents who have middle incomes also thought it was at least somewhat likely this would be an issue, while 13% of those with a higher income said the same.

Across all parents whose child’s school was closed, roughly three-in-ten parents (29%) said it was very or somewhat likely their child would have to do their schoolwork on a cellphone. About one-in-five parents said it was at least somewhat likely their child would have to use public Wi-Fi to finish their schoolwork because they lacked a reliable home internet connection (22%) or would not be able to complete their schoolwork because they did not have access to a computer at home (21%) during the outbreak.

While most Americans say schools should provide computers to at least some students during outbreak, parties divided on if this should be done for all

While most Americans (80%) said in the same April survey that K-12 schools should have a responsibility to provide computers to at least some students during the outbreak, there were differences in whether people said this should be done for all students or just those who can’t afford this technology.

Some 37% of Americans said schools should be responsible for providing laptops or tablet computers to all students in order to help them complete their schoolwork at home during the coronavirus outbreak, while 43% said schools should be responsible for providing this technology only for students whose families cannot afford it. Though Democrats and Republicans agreed that schools should be responsible for providing this technology to at least some students (44% vs. 42%, respectively), Democrats (45%) were more likely than Republicans (28%) to say schools should provide this technology to all students.

Some Americans were dubious about the effectiveness of technology for tracking the coronavirus and lacked confidence in others to keep their personal records safe

More Americans think location tracking through cellphones won’t make a difference in limiting the spread of COVID-19 than say it would help

When it comes to data collection and digital privacy related to the COVID-19 outbreak, only a minority of Americans said in April that they thought cellphone tracking would be beneficial for curbing the spread of the virus. Some 38% said that if the government tracked people’s locations through their cellphone during the coronavirus outbreak it would help at least a little in limiting the spread of the virus. A larger share – 60% – said this type of tracking by the government would not make much of a difference in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

In other efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, many states launched large-scale contact tracing programs, which public health officials use to trace the spread of the virus by connecting with those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or those who have been exposed to a positive case. Half of adults said in a July survey they would be not at all or not too comfortable sharing location data from their cellphone with a public health official during the coronavirus outbreak. A slightly smaller share of Americans (41%) said they would be not at all or not too likely to speak with a public health official who contacted them by phone or text message to speak with them about the virus.

Half of Americans are not confident in the federal government to protect their records, and 41% say the same about public health organizations

In that contact tracing survey, Americans also were asked in July about their levels of confidence in different groups when it comes to keeping their personal records safe. Half of adults said they were not at all or not too confident that the federal government would keep their personal records safe from hackers or unauthorized users. About four-in-ten adults (41%) said they lacked confidence that public health organizations will keep their records secure. A smaller share, 19%, said they were not at all or not too confident that their medical doctors or health care providers would keep their records safe.

(PEW)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/12/18/what-weve-learned-about-americans-views-of-technology-during-the-time-of-covid-19/

669-43-14/Poll

Black eligible voters have accounted for nearly half of Georgia electorate’s growth since 2000

How we did this

As an emerging battleground state in national elections, Georgia’s changing electoral makeup has been the focus of renewed attention in the 2020 election cycle. This is particularly true now given that the Jan. 5 runoff election for the state’s two U.S. Senate seats could determine which party controls that chamber.

Prominent public figures such as Democrat Stacey Abrams, a former lawmaker who lost a close race for governor in 2018, have highlighted Georgia’s racial and ethnic diversification as a major driver behind Joe Biden’s victory.

Biden won the state by a very narrow margin of just 0.2%, with about 12,000 votes more than Donald Trump. But it was the first time a Democratic presidential candidate had won the state in nearly three decades.

In 2019, the Black voting population in Georgia reached a record high of 2.5 million eligible voters, making up a third of the state’s total electorate. As a share of eligible voters in the state overall, Black voters saw a 5 percentage point increase between 2000 and 2019. This was the highest growth rate of any racial or ethnic group in Georgia – and also the largest percentage point increase among Black voters in any state in the country.

The Hispanic and Asian American voting populations in Georgia have also grown significantly, more than tripling in size between 2000 and 2019. However, these groups accounted for much smaller shares of the state’s electorate, 5% and 3%, respectively. The number of White voters in the state also grew during this time, but at a lower rate than other major racial and ethnic groups. As a result, the White share of Georgia’s eligible voters declined by 11 points, though the group still accounted for the majority (58%) of Georgia’s electorate in 2019.

Demographics of Georgia eligible voters by race and ethnicity

Migration from outside Georgia a major source of growth for state’s Black electorate

The growth of Black eligible voters in Georgia has been largely driven by migration into the state from other parts of the country, as well as from outside the United States. Between 2000 and 2019, Black eligible voters who were born outside of Georgia accounted for a majority (58%) of the increase in the state’s Black voting population. (It is not possible to know from American Community Survey data when these individuals relocated to the state of Georgia. Eligible voters include both U.S.-born individuals and naturalized immigrants.)

In 2019, 43% of Black eligible voters in Georgia were born outside of the state (1.1 million out of 2.5 million), up from 34% in 2000 (532,000 out of 1.6 million). Over the same period, the number of Black voters who were born outside of Georgia doubled, while the number of Black voters born in the state increased by just 38%.

Georgia’s Black eligible voters born outside of the state have diverse origins. In 2019, among those born in the U.S., about 116,000 are from New York, more than double their number since 2000. They are followed by those born in Florida (100,000), Alabama (87,000), South Carolina (52,000) and Illinois (47,000).

These numbers have shifted in the past two decades. In 2000, those born in Alabama (66,000) and Florida (52,000) were the largest groups among Georgia’s Black eligible voters born outside of the state. New York (50,000), South Carolina (40,000) and North Carolina (24,000) rounded out the top five. Black eligible voters who were born outside the U.S. have also played a significant role in the growth of Georgia’s Black electorate. In 2019, about 123,000 Black eligible voters in the state were born outside of the country, with most tracing their origins to nations in the Caribbean (60,000) and Africa (57,000). Among those born in the Caribbean, the top countries of origin were Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago, while Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia top the list among those who were born in Africa.

Meanwhile, naturalized citizens only make up 5% of Georgia’s overall Black electorate, but their numbers have grown more than fourfold over the past two decades, from 26,000 in 2000 to 123,000 in 2019. During this time, the country overall has also seen a substantial increase in its immigrant electorate.

Immigrant eligible voters in Georgia make up even larger shares of the Asian and Latino electorates than among the Black electorate. About three-in-four (74%) Asian eligible voters and one-in-four (26%) Latino eligible voters are naturalized citizens in the state.

Black eligible voters who were born outside Georgia have demographic characteristics that differ from those who were born in the state.

Those born outside the state had higher levels of education overall. In 2019, they were over twice as likely to have at least a bachelor’s degree or more education. Additionally, their median household income was 56% higher than that of the Georgia born ($58,100 vs. $38,200).

Poverty rates also differ between the groups. One-fifth of Black eligible voters (20%) who were born in the state of Georgia lived in poverty, a higher share than among those born outside the state (11%). In addition, Black eligible voters who were born outside the state were more likely to reside in the state’s largest urban areas. The Atlanta metro area is home to 76% of Black eligible voters who were born outside of the state, while just 49% of Georgia’s Black eligible voters born in the state resided in the metro.

(PEW)

December 15, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/12/15/black-eligible-voters-have-accounted-for-nearly-half-of-georgia-electorates-growth-since-2000/

669-43-15/Poll

Reduced Majority in U.S. Critical of Healthcare System

Line graph. Sixty-one percent of Americans say the U.S. health care system is in a state of crisis or has major problems, the lowest measured since 2001. In most years, the percentage has been closer to 70%, apart from 49% in 2001 and 63% in 2019 and 61% this year.

The unusual finding of 49% rating the healthcare system a crisis or major problem in 2001 was recorded two months after 9/11. At that time, Americans' perceptions of many issues being a problem were suppressed, and they were rallying around their leaders and U.S. institutions. However, the percentage expressing significant concern about healthcare crept back up to 70% by 2005 and subsequently remained near that level until it dropped in 2019.

Most of the change in attitudes about the healthcare system since 2018 has come from a reduction in the percentage saying the system has major problems, which has been at or above 50% in all but 2001, 2019 and 2020. The 16% who believe the system is in a state of crisis matches the trend's average going back to 1994.

In addition to the 61% of Americans today who are critical of the state of the healthcare system, 35% believe it has minor problems and 3% say it does not have any problems.

These results are based on Gallup's annual Health and Healthcare survey, conducted Nov. 5-19. The survey also found Americans' satisfaction with healthcare costs at a new high and approval of the Affordable Care Act tied for the highest it has been.

Republicans Primarily Responsible for Diminished Healthcare Concern

In many years, Republicans, Democrats and independents have had similar views of the U.S. healthcare system. In others, including this year, there have been wide partisan gaps. Typically, supporters of the incumbent president's party tend to be much less critical of the healthcare system than supporters of the opposition party.

Consistent with that pattern, 43% of Republicans, compared with 78% of Democrats, believe the U.S. healthcare system is in a state of crisis or has major problems. The 35-percentage-point gap in Republicans' and Democrats' ratings represents one of the largest in the trend, along with the 37-point gap last year.

The recent decline in concern about the healthcare system is primarily being driven by Republicans. Since 2018, there has been a 17-point drop among Republicans in negative assessments of it, compared with single-digit decreases among Democrats and independents.

Line graph. Views of the healthcare system have often varied by political party. The last three years have seen gaps of 24 or more percentage points in the views of Republicans and Democrats in terms of whether the healthcare systems is in a crisis or has major problems, with Democrats much more likely to hold that view.

Just three years ago, during the first year of Donald Trump's presidency, between 70% and 73% of all party groups were critical of the current state of the healthcare system. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2016, the final three years of Barack Obama's presidency, Republicans were more likely than Democrats to view the healthcare system as being in a crisis or having major problems -- and at about the same rate as Democrats are today.

Similar to the pattern seen today, Democrats were more critical than Republicans in the latter part of George W. Bush's presidency, between 2004 and 2008, and continuing into the first three years of the Obama administration. However, at that time, solid majorities of Republicans also perceived problems with the system, contrasted with the 43% and 46% recorded the past two years.

Public Wants Government to Ensure Healthcare Within a Private System

As Americans' views of the healthcare system have improved in recent years, their preferences for how the government should approach healthcare have been stable.

Fifty-six percent say it is the federal government's responsibility to make sure all Americans have healthcare, while 42% disagree. For most of Gallup's trend, which dates back to 2000, a majority have said the government should ensure healthcare for all. The exceptions occurred from 2009 to 2014, a period when the government debated and implemented the Affordable Care Act. During those years, between 42% and 50% thought the government was responsible for making sure Americans had healthcare.

Line graph. For most of the past 20 years, majorities of Americans have said it is the federal government's responsibility to ensure all Americans have health insurance, including a high of 69% in 2006. The low point was 42% in 2013.

Even as Americans say the government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare, they do not want the government to run the healthcare system. Fifty-five percent want to maintain a system -- like the current one -- mostly based on private insurance, whereas 42% would prefer a government-run system.

There has been a modest increase in the percentage favoring a government-run system compared with 2010 through 2014, when an average of 36% held this view.

Line graph. A majority of Americans have been in favor of a healthcare systems based on private insurance in all but one survey since 2010. The exception was 48% in 2017. The high point was 61% in 2010, 2013 and 2014.

Healthcare system preferences are strongly influenced by political party, with Democrats generally saying the government should ensure all Americans have healthcare and favoring a government-run system, and Republicans holding the opposite views.

Democrats are much more likely to say the government should ensure healthcare (87%) than they are to favor a government-run system (62%). The same pattern is evident among independents (59% say it is the government's responsibility; 49% favor a government system) and among Republicans (22% and 12%, respectively), but those groups show smaller gaps in their attitudes than Democrats do.

Bottom Line

Americans are less likely than two years ago to say the healthcare system is in trouble, but a majority still hold that view. The softening in attitudes mostly stems from Republicans being pleased with the Trump administration and its approach to healthcare. Attitudes have become more closely linked to the party of the president in the past two years, given the larger gap in Democratic vs. Republican ratings than in prior years.

The year Trump was elected, eight in 10 Republicans said the U.S. healthcare system was in a crisis or had major problems. This came after numerous Republican attempts to repeal or otherwise weaken the Affordable Care Act passed during the Obama administration. Though the Trump administration was unable to repeal the law, it has weakened it, most notably by eliminating the requirement that all Americans carry health insurance or pay a fine.

Under the incoming Biden administration, federal government healthcare policy will look very different from the past four years, but maybe similar to what it was the prior eight years under Obama. Biden, as vice president to Obama, was heavily involved in the passage of the Affordable Care Act and has promised to strengthen the law. How much he is able to do will depend to a large degree on which party has control of the Senate, to be decided in Georgia's upcoming runoff elections. But even if Democrats win control, the narrow margins they would hold in the House of Representatives and Senate may limit the Biden administration's ability to enact some of his plans.

(Gallup USA)

December 18, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327968/reduced-majority-critical-healthcare-system.aspx

669-43-16/Poll

Half of College Students Say COVID-19 May Impact Completion

How likely is it that the COVID-19 pandemic will negatively impact your ability to complete your degree/credential?

	Pursuing bachelor's degree	Pursuing associate degree
	%	%
Very unlikely	14	11
Unlikely	37	33
Likely	32	36
Very likely	17	20
LUMINA-GALLUP STUDENT STUDY, SEPT. 22-OCT. 5, 2020

These results are from the Lumina-Gallup Student Study, conducted Sept. 22-Oct. 5, 2020, with 3,941 students pursuing a bachelor's and 2,064 students pursuing an associate degree. Surveys were conducted using an opt-in panel, and the sample was weighted to represent the national population of currently enrolled college students.

COVID-19's Impact on Completion Stronger for Black and Hispanic Students

Black and Hispanic students pursuing their bachelor's or associate degree are more likely than their peers to believe COVID-19 is likely or very likely to adversely affect their ability to complete their degree/credential. Among those pursuing a bachelor's degree, 44% of currently enrolled White students versus 56% of both Black and Hispanic students expect COVID-19 to negatively affect their ability to finish their degree. There is a similar racial/ethnic gap among those pursuing an associate degree, with 52% of White students versus 60% of Black and Hispanic students expecting problems.

How likely is it that the COVID-19 pandemic will negatively impact your ability to complete your degree/credential?

	Very unlikely/Unlikely	Very likely/Likely
	%	%
Pursuing bachelor's degree
White students	55	44
Black students	44	56
Hispanic students	44	56
Pursuing associate degree
White students	48	52
Black students	40	60
Hispanic students	40	60
LUMINA-GALLUP STUDENT STUDY, SEPT. 22-OCT. 5, 2020

Students at Risk of Dropping Out Lack Support System at Home

Bachelor's degree students who are most likely to say COVID-19 will negatively impact their ability to complete their degree have a weaker support system. While 44% of bachelor's degree students who strongly agree that they have a support system also say COVID-19 is likely or very likely to negatively impact their ability to complete their degree, this increases to 62% of those who strongly disagree that they have such a support system.

The Likelihood COVID-19 Will Negatively Impact Students' Ability to Complete Their Degree, Among Those Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees

	I have family members or friends I can count on for help.
	% 1 --Stronglydisagree	% 2	% 3	% 4	% 5 --Stronglyagree
Very unlikely/Likely	37	45	44	51	56
Very likely/Likely	62	56	56	49	44
LUMINA-GALLUP STUDENT STUDY, SEPT. 22-OCT. 5, 2020

Many students are unaware of aid colleges offer to students in need to allow them to continue in their degree program. Although food assistance is available at many colleges nationally, just 43% of students pursuing their bachelor's degree report that their school offers food assistance of any kind. Gallup finds awareness of these programs is lowest among first-generation college students -- students for whom these programs are particularly important because of their lower degree-completion rates nationally.

As far as you know, which of the following services does your school/university offer to students?

% Aware that school offers each service

	Pursuing bachelor's degree	Pursuing associate degree
	%	%
Tutoring/Academic support	72	52
Emergency financial help	67	51
Mental health services	58	31
Food assistance	43	32
Career counseling	38	33
Childcare support	19	20
LUMINA-GALLUP STUDENT STUDY, SEPT. 22-OCT. 5, 2020

Summary

COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for currently enrolled college students. The economic impacts of the pandemic have been devastating for students and their families, with many worried about how a loss of job or income may affect their ability to stay enrolled or change how they finance their degree. Higher education has experienced such financial hardship before -- in 2008, during the last economic crisis, many students experienced similar struggles -- but it has never been challenged by an economic crisis amid a health pandemic. The collective challenges students face in the 2020-2021 academic year -- financial hardship, health concerns, increased caregiving responsibilities -- are both severe and complex, making their concerns about completing school understandable.

Importantly, this research indicates many also lack a sufficient support system in their personal lives to overcome these challenges, placing additional pressure on institutions as they attempt to retain these students in spring 2021 and beyond. While institutions have implemented programs to assist students with these challenges, many students still report they are unaware of resources that their institution may offer to support their ongoing needs. As schools prepare for an equally challenging spring, it is crucial that they increase awareness of these services for students with the greatest need.

(Gallup USA)

December 15, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/327851/half-college-students-say-covid-may-impact-completion.aspx

AUSTRALIA

669-43-17/Poll

Six in ten Australians plan domestic holiday over next 12 months

In the face of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many Aussies are looking ahead to travelling over the coming year, new research from YouGov reveals.

The data, collected by YouGov’s Global Travel Profiles tool from across 25 countries, shows that six in ten (59%) people plan to holiday domestically in the next 12 months, making them the travellers third-most likely to take such a vacation. Far fewer (18%) plan to holiday abroad next year, while one in five (21%) say they don’t think they will travel at all in the coming year.

Of all the countries surveyed, Thais are the most likely to travel domestically in the next year, with over two-thirds (68%) saying the intend to. Data suggests that those in the Asia Pacfic region are the most keen to travel domestically in the next 12 months. Indonesians are the second most likely to travel domestically in the new year (61%), followed closely by the Chinese (55%) and Malaysians (54%). The only exception to this rule are those hailing from the small island nation state Singapore, where only 14% intend to have a domestic holiday.

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

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

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

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

(YouGov)

December 09, 2020

Source: https://au.yougov.com/news/2020/12/09/six-ten-australians-plan-domestic-holiday-over-nex/

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

669-43-18/Poll

Arabs’ Evaluations of their Governments’ Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Arab governments in a difficult time when most were already under pressure. Economic crises and armed conflicts in some countries, like Libya and Syria, have had spill-over effects that continue to be felt across the region. Governments’ failure to address these challenges over the years had shaken the public’s trust in their rulers. The Arab Barometer’s Wave VI Part I surveys, conducted by phone in select countries during the months of July through October, suggest that levels of trust in government vary widely, ranging from 63 percent in Jordan to only 6 percent in Lebanon.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a new, more complex challenge to both the economies and the healthcare systems of Arab countries. On the one hand, few Arab publics would expect a strong government response, especially given the relative weakness of their healthcare systems compared with developed countries where COVID has often overwhelmed their systems. However, despite these challenges, the 2020 Arab Barometer surveys show variation across the region in satisfaction with their healthcare systems. In Jordan, three-in-four say they are satisfied with the healthcare system while in Morocco a majority (58%) are satisfied. Elsewhere, fewer than half say the same, including 47 percent in Algeria. Meanwhile, levels of satisfaction are low in Tunisia with 38 percent and even lower in Lebanon with only 13 percent of people expressing satisfaction. Likely, these ratings reflect, at least in part, relative expectations across the region, meaning that citizens are not necessarily using the same criteria to make this evaluation.

On the other hand, COVID-19 forced the governments to take strong actions, offering an opportunity for a redemption of trust with the public. As COVID-19 began to spread in the spring of 2020, several Arab governments took decisive measures to limit the spread. Days after the first confirmed case was reported on March 3, Jordan closed its borders to pandemic countries and isolated administrative governorates from each other. Within weeks, the government closed its borders entirely, ordered a national curfew, and called for social distancing. The government rallied media outlets and community leaders to raise awareness about the dangers of the virus. Similarly, Morocco enacted the State of Emergency on March 20th, when the country had fewer than 80 cases in total. The government suspended all international and domestic travel and banned public gatherings.

Even in countries undergoing a political transition, like Tunisia and Algeria where new administrations got elected shortly before the pandemic, the government response followed a similar path. Once the first confirmed cases were recorded, the Tunisian government closed the borders, ordered a partial curfew, and shut down public spaces including mosques and schools. The government mobilized its military and police forces to ensure adherence to the rules. In Algeria, the government shut down all points of entry in mid-March and restricted domestic travel. It also imposed a curfew and required face coverings to be worn in public, imposing fines on those who fail to follow the rules.

Other countries, however, were less fortunate. Lebanon was one of the earliest countries to report COVID-19 cases in the region. Although the government issued curfews and suspended international travel, the weak and ineffective state relied mostly on citizens’ awareness, rather than government actions, to contain the spread of the virus. The August explosion at the port of Beirut worsened the situation for Lebanon as thousands have lost their homes, thus were forced to find new places to live, making it even harder to control the spread of the virus.

Arab governments’ efforts to combat and contain the outbreak of COVID-19 seem to be recognized and acknowledged by the public. When asked to explain their reason for concern over COVID-19, only a small percentage of citizens cited the government response being inadequate as the most concerning factor. The ineffectiveness of the healthcare system and citizens’ unwillingness to follow recommendations were causing more concern for people than the government response in all surveyed countries.

These strict measures taken by some governments contributed to their partial success in limiting the number of cases and deaths. By the first week of October, Jordan recorded a low case-fatality rate of 0.8 percent while Morocco’s rate was 1.7 percent and Tunisia’s rate was 1.5 percent. Algeria recorded a higher rate of 3.4 percent. Even though Lebanon’s recorded rate is 0.8 percent, the number is questionable given the difficulty of testing and tracing in the country. For the North African countries, the rates are low when compared to the rates of other Mediterranean states like France (4.1%) or Spain (3.7%). Jordan’s rate is also low compared to other Middle Eastern countries like Turkey (2.6%) and Egypt (5.8%).

Perhaps as a result, the Arab Barometer’s Wave VI Part I survey shows that the public views governments’ responses favorably overall. Three-fourths of Moroccans and 74 percent of Jordanians say that their governments’ performance in responding to the pandemic was very good or good. Although slightly lower, the percentages in Algeria (65%) and Tunisia (58%) are high enough to suggest that the public acknowledges the governments’ efforts to combat COVID-19. Meanwhile, just 38 percent of respondents rated the government response positively in Lebanon.

It is important to note, however, that these countries, following a global pattern, have witnessed a spike in COVID-19 infections since August. Given the recent developments, the positive attitudes toward government performance in response to the pandemic are likely to change.

(Arab Barometer)

December 17, 2020

Source: https://www.arabbarometer.org/2020/12/arabs-evaluations-of-their-governments-response-to-covid-19/

669-43-19/Poll

Women in many countries face harassment for clothing deemed too religious – or too secular

Women in 56 countries experienced social hostilities – that is, harassment from individuals or groups – due to clothing that was deemed to violate religious or secular dress norms, according to the sources analyzed for a recent Pew Research Center study of 198 nations. Social harassment can range from verbal abuse to physical violence or killings motivated at least in part by the target’s religious identity; incidents for this measure took place between 2016 and 2018.

Meanwhile, women in 61 countries faced government restrictions on dress – specifically, regulations on their head coverings. This measure covers rules that were in place or incidents that occurred in 2018.

The number of countries where women faced social hostilities and government-imposed restrictions related to their dress has risen in the five most recent years of the study.

How we did this

Social hostilities

In 42 of the 56 countries where sources indicated that social harassment took place between 2016 and 2018, women were targeted for violating secular dress norms, such as by wearing a hijab or other religious garb. In 19 countries, women were harassed for not adhering to religious dress codes, such as by not wearing head coverings or dressing in other ways deemed offensive to religious norms. (In five countries in the study — Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel and Russia — women experienced both types of harassment.)

In four of the five regions covered in the study, social harassment for overly religious clothing was more common than harassment for overly secular clothing. The exception was the Middle East and North Africa, where women more commonly faced harassment for clothing deemed too secular.

Europe had the most countries where women faced social hostilities for violating dress norms, with incidents recorded in 20 countries, or 44% of the 45 nations in the region. In all of these cases, Muslim women faced discrimination, physical violence and other forms of abuse for wearing head coverings. In Denmark, for example, a driver refused to cede a parking space to a Muslim woman in 2018 because she was wearing a headscarf. And in Germany, a woman hit a Muslim woman and tried to remove her headscarf.

The Asia-Pacific region had the second-most countries with such incidents, with women facing harassment for violating dress codes in 14 of the region’s 50 nations, or 28%. In 10 of these countries, women were harassed for clothing that was deemed too religious, whereas in six countries, they experienced harassment for attire that was considered too secular (in two countries – India and Indonesia – both types of harassment occurred). In Malaysia, for instance, police in 2018 arrested a man who admitted to assaulting a woman because she was not wearing a headscarf. And in Kyrgyzstan in 2016, billboards sparked debate over religious dress in the country by displaying photos of women in various forms of Islamic dress with the caption “Oh, poor nation, where are we headed?” The displays were seen as a commentary on the spread of foreign and overly religious dress customs in the country.

Women faced social hostilities for violating dress codes in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and six countries in the Americas. In sub-Saharan Africa, women were harassed for violating secular dress codes in four countries, and for violating religious dress codes in three. In parts of Kenya, for example, a teacher’s union reported in 2018 that female teachers were required to wear hijabs, while in Liberia, Muslim women reportedly experienced workplace discrimination for wearing headscarves.

In the Americas, all instances of harassment targeted women who wore clothing considered too religious. In Trinidad and Tobago, for example, a Muslim teacher at a Hindu school in 2018 was told to remove her hijab or leave the premises. And in Canada in 2016, a woman spit on and pulled the hijab and hair of a Muslim shopper in a supermarket in Ontario.

In the Middle East and North Africa, eight of 20 countries saw harassment for overly secular attire, while two countries saw it for overly religious clothing. In Israel, for instance, a group of Orthodox Jewish men in 2018 were seen chasing and yelling at a girl for dressing that they perceived as “immodest.” In Qatar, a Muslim woman in 2016 was criticized for appearing on a news program without a hijab.

Government restrictions

Official rules about the wearing of religious symbols – such as hijabs for women and beards for men – are another form of religious restriction observed around the world. In the vast majority of countries where such restrictions were recorded in 2018, they targeted head coverings for women.

Every region had at least some rules about women’s headdress. Europe had the most countries where women’s head coverings were restricted by the government, with instances in 21 of 45 countries. In Norway, for example, the government passed a ban on face-covering clothing at educational institutions, preventing students and teachers from wearing niqabs and burqas in schools and daycare centers. The country continued to ban religious headwear and other religious symbols from being worn with police uniforms, but allowed religious headwear in the military.

Governments regulated women’s headdress in 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, nine in the Middle East and North Africa, nine in sub-Saharan Africa and six in the Americas. In Australia, for instance, a judge did not allow a woman to wear a niqab in the court’s public spectator gallery during her husband’s trial on charges of terrorism. In Turkey, by contrast, students and parents claimed a school principal in the city of Urfa threatened that female students would receive failing grades if they did not wear head coverings.

In some countries, governments have specific rules for the type of religious clothing women should wear. In Iran, for example, the government requires all women to adhere to “Islamic dress” standards in public, including covering their hair and bodies in loose clothing.

(PEW)

December 16, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/12/16/women-in-many-countries-face-harassment-for-clothing-deemed-too-religious-or-too-secular/

669-43-20/Poll

Views of Russia and Putin remain negative across 14 nations

A median of 66% of adults in those countries express an unfavorable view of Russia, with majorities in 12 of the 14 countries holding that view. Only a median of 29% hold a positive opinion of Russia.

People in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands hold the most negative views of Russia. At least three-quarters in all those countries hold an unfavorable opinion. Two-thirds or more say the same in Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States.

Of the countries surveyed, Italy stands out with its relatively sanguine outlook on Russia. Moscow delivered medical aid to Italy at the start of the pandemic, and about half in Italy see Russia favorably, the most positive evaluation of the nation by Italians since the question was first asked in 2007.

For other countries, evaluations of Russia have either remained low or dropped significantly since the Center first surveyed on the topic.

In the U.S., UK and Canada, the share who hold a favorable view of Russia has shrunk by at least 20 percentage points since surveys began in 2007. In Germany, Spain and France, the share has continued to hover at around one-third of the population. For Japan, about two-in-ten to three-in-ten have held a favorable view of their neighbor.

Those ages 50 and older are less likely than those ages 18 to 29 to see Russia favorably. In Germany, for example, 44% of 18- to 29-year-olds hold a positive view of Russia, compared with just 25% of those 50 and older. Age differences are large enough to be statistically significant in 13 of the 14 countries surveyed, but younger people in North America and older people in some European countries are also less likely to answer the question.

Europeans who see right-wing populist parties favorably are also more likely to see Russia favorably. The difference is greatest in Germany, where supporters of Alternative for Germany (AfD) are 33 percentage points more likely than nonsupporters to have a positive opinion of Russia. Supporters of right-wing populist parties in Italy, the Netherlands and France are also at least 20 points more likely than nonsupporters to hold a positive view of the country.

Still, support for Russia is a minority view among supporters of right-wing populist parties. Only in Germany, Italy and France do a majority of right-wing populist party supporters hold a favorable view of Russia.

The generally negative views of Russia extend to Putin. Across the 14 countries surveyed, a median of 23% say they have confidence in Putin to do the right thing in world affairs, while a median of 73% say they have no confidence in the Russian leader.

Outside Italy, no more than a third of the population in each country surveyed expresses confidence in Putin. Trust in the Russian leader is especially low in Spain, the U.S., the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, countries in which a fifth of adults or fewer express this opinion. Only in Australia, Germany and Italy do three-in-ten or more trust Putin on the global stage.

Even so, more trust Putin than U.S. President Donald Trump in nearly all 14 countries surveyed. The difference is especially stark in Europe, where more have confidence in the Russian president than in Trump in all but one country surveyed. In Italy and Germany, people are 21 percentage points more likely to have a favorable view of Putin than of Trump. There are also double-digit differences in Belgium and France. Only Americans, Canadians and Japanese are more likely to see Trump favorably. Putin’s slight edge over Trump in confidence was also seen in a 2019 Pew Research Center study that included countries outside of North America, Europe and Asia.

(PEW)

December 16, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/12/16/views-of-russia-and-putin-remain-negative-across-14-nations/