A recent global poll commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation, surveying over 35,000 individuals across 34 countries, reveals a significant decline in economic optimism worldwide. Approximately 69% of those surveyed believe the global situation has deteriorated over the past year. Economic optimism for national economies improving in the next five years fell from 42% to 38% globally, with declines observed in 27 out of 34 countries.
Notable drops in economic optimism include India, where it fell 26 percentage points to 50%, and China, which saw a 16-point decrease to 56%. This widespread pessimism is attributed to various factors, including global security challenges and the economic impacts of conflicts like the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East and past trade tariffs.
Despite the prevailing gloom, the poll found sustained support for international cooperation. About 57% of respondents believe their country should cooperate to address global challenges, even if it necessitates compromising national interests, a slight increase from 55% in the previous year's survey. However, a divergence emerged in support levels, with wealthier economies seeing an increase from 55% to 61%, while developing economies experienced a decline from 55% to 53%.
The survey also highlighted a strong desire among the global public for aid cuts to be reversed or aid increased, particularly after being informed that such cuts could lead to over 9 million deaths by 2030. Majorities in all 34 countries, including 61% in the United States, supported increasing aid for moral or national interest reasons. Security was identified as the clearest shared global priority, ranking first or second in 33 of 34 countries.
The poll also indicated a lack of broad support for either the United States or China to lead on the world stage, with only 39% comfortable with the US in a leading role and 37% with China. Instead, 61% would support a group of countries tackling global problems together, even if it excluded these two major economies, suggesting a preference for multilateral approaches championed by "middle powers."
