Societal Preparedness Insights

On Saturday 21st September, we will launch “Loneliness, Trust and Hope: The Lives of Young People Emerging from the COVID-19 Pandemic” our first report from our 70 country 70,000 survey, capturing comprehensive information about the experience during COVID-19, future outlook, and sense of preparedness for future emergencies. It will be available digitally and to download here.

70 COUNTRY SURVEY DATA

Analyses of trust in different voice and institutions, by country, gender, age and religion

70+
Country Survey
“There are many reports on declines in trust around the world, especially in government. What we aim to do is identify more closely where the problem lies in the trust ecosystem – so that together we can do something about it,” - Professor Heidi Larson, Co-Founder & Chair of the Global Listening Project

About the Survey

This is the first data set of this size to capture comprehensive information about the experience during COVID-19, future outlook, and sense of preparedness for future emergencies such as climate disruption and conflict, as well as existing and new pandemic threats.

TAKE STEPS TO CLOSE GAPS BETWEEN PERCEPTION AND REALITY

In G7 countries, individual assessments of government performance during COVID and confidence in government for future pandemics do not all align with burden of disease and death and measures taken by government, influencing confidence in government capacity to manage future crises. For example, in Japan, 12 percent of people thought the government did “well” during the COVID-19 crisis–the lowest percentage of any G7 country, even though Japan had the lowest rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths per million of any G7 nation.

TARGET TRUST-BUILDING INTERVENTIONS TO SPECIFIC
DEMOGRAPHICS

The Global Listening Project identified several specific demographics that are more disillusioned and have lower levels of trust than the rest of the population. For example, in the US, women over 35 had dramatically lower levels of trust in government than any other demographic.

MITIGATE LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
EXPERIENCES

In some populations, regret over COVID-19 immunization, anger or frustration around pandemic lockdowns and pandemic control measures actions have eroded trust that needs rebuilding.  In Cameroon, 63% of people who got the COVID-19 vaccine said they regretted it–compared with 30% of the population surveyed in the African region.

MENTAL HEALTH: A POST COVID-19 CHALLENGE IN THE MAKING

In the US, young people, aged 18-24 years old, reported the highest levels of loneliness (60%) and mental health problems (57%) across all ages, a tangible issue that will need addressing before having longer term consequences.

TRUST & GLOBAL SECURITY

Each month, in the run up to the Summit for the Future in September 2024, the Project will explore specific, critical issues that the study has identified, to support policymakers in designing concrete action plans and strategies. Our first priority is trust building strategies, foundational for global security.

Overall, people reported higher confidence in their own ability to cope, than in government readiness for another crisis. Yet, the study also found that no matter what type of governance people are living with, and no matter where they live in the world, they think that honest, transparent decision making, combined with clear communication from governments will improve preparedness.

"Local action and resilience is key. But to make countries more secure in the face
of future crises, we need that trust and confidence in national systems too.”
- Prasada Rao J.V.R. former UN SG Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia Pacific,
former Health Secretary, Government of India, and member of the Global
Listening Project’s International Advisory Board

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