More think opening businesses puts too many people at risk of COVID-19 and we need to wait
A majority of people in some hard-hit countries think jobs lost will not be recovered
A majority of people in nine out of 16 countries think opening businesses now puts too many people at risk of contracting COVID-19, according to the latest Ipsos suvey.
More people also say most jobs lost during the lockdown will not return, suggesting those that support reopening are doing so in spite of the risk rather than believing the risk is low.
In a poll of 16,000 people in 16 major countries conducted from May 21 to 24, people in Brazil (71%), India (69%), Mexico and South Korea (65%), Japan and the United Kingdom (62%) and the United States (60%) are most likely to say we need to wait at least a few more weeks before opening businesses, because opening now would put too many people at risk of contracting COVID-19.
But on the opposite end, those in hard hit countries of China (65%), Italy (64%), France (59%), Germany (57%) and Russia (55%) are most likely to say the health risk is minimal if people follow social distancing rules, and we need to get the economy moving again.
People most divided on taking this action are in Spain, Australia and South Africa with only 2 percentage points between those who think opening businesses now puts too many people at risk versus those who say the risk is minimal.
Added to this, a majority of people in France (69%), Spain (62%), South Korea and South Africa (61%), Italy (60%), Japan (58%), the U.K. (57%), and Russia (52%) don’t think most jobs lost during the pandemic will return as soon as the stay in place and lockdown restrictions are lifted.
A majority of respondents in India (73%) and Germany (51%) are the only ones out of 15 countries to believe most lost jobs will return once restrictions are eased.
A number of countries are divided on this question with only 2 points separating those who agree and disagree on whether jobs will be recovered in Australia and Mexico, followed by the U.S. (3), Brazil (7), Canada (9) and Germany (10).
About the Study
These are the results from Ipsos Essentials, a weekly global syndicated study examing the opinions and behaviours as countries move through the pandemic. These results were collected May 21st to 24th, 2020 using an online methodology 16,000 adults aged 18-74 in Canada and the United States and 16-74 in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
The sample for this study consists of approximately 1,000 individuals in each country. The samples in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population over age 16 or 18 (as above) and under the age of 75. The sample in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa is more urban, more educated and/or more affluent than the general population and should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of the population. The data is weighted so that each market’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.
Where results do not sum up to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses. The precision of Ipsos online polls is calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website (www.Ipsos.com).
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Darrell Bricker, PhD
CEO, Ipsos Global Public Affairs
+1 416 324 2001
Darrell.Bricker@ipsos.com
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
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