Global Economic Concerns Dominate Gallup Survey Results

The Gallup polling and analytics company conducted its 2025 World Poll to understand what people in different countries consider their most pressing problems. The poll asked participants to identify the country's most important issue, with results indicating that economic concerns are widespread globally.

New Zealanders were among those polled, with nearly three in ten (29.4%) naming the economy as their top concern. However, social issues such as discrimination, racism, and poverty took second place at 19.9%, far ahead of healthcare, food and housing, politics, and government. Only 3.4% cited crime, violence, or public safety.

Australia's results diverged from New Zealand's, with the economy (21.8%) ranking below concerns about food and shelter (28.7%). The environment was also more prominent in Australia at 11.1%, compared to 5.2% in New Zealand. Social issues were a notable difference between the two countries.

The global results showed that economic concerns accounted for 28.5% of responses, followed by work (13.5%), law and order (12.5%), politics and government (11.2%), food and shelter (6.1%), environment (4.0%), social issues (3.7%), and health (3.2%). The regional data revealed different patterns in various parts of the world, but a common thread was affordability and economic security.