NUREMBERG, Germany, August 20,
2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Unemployment is main concern in most of the
countries
According to a global study on the challenges of the nations,
conducted by GfK Verein, unemployment leads the list of concerns
with 30 percent, followed by concerns about the health service and
education policy. At the bottom of the top ten of challenges are
corruption, poverty, and traffic policy. GfK Verein is a non-profit
organization for the promotion of market research.
In the first study on a global scale, unemployment is expressed
as the key concern by a third of the people questioned. In 11 of 17
countries surveyed, it is at the top of the rankings. The concern
is most prominent in Spain,
mentioned by 74 percent of respondents, closely followed by
France with 67 percent. In
Italy, Poland and Nigeria, at least half of the population see
the need to improve the labour market situation.
Concern about health service is in second place, with 17
percent. This concern ranks highest in Brazil, with around 55 percent of people being
concerned, making it their number 1 challenge. Poland follows suit with 24 percent, followed
by Nigeria (17 percent) and
the Netherlands (16 percent). By
contrast, in Turkey and
South Africa (both 3 percent),
other problems are currently more prominent.
Education policy is in third place with 13 percent, a concern
that stands out in Nigeria (35
percent) and Brazil (32 percent).
Yet 24 percent of Swedes would also like improvements regarding
education policy. Still, altogether in more than half of the
countries surveyed, less than 10 percent of citizens are concerned
about education; levels of concern are lowest in Poland (3 percent), Italy, and the
Netherlands (each at 4 percent).
In the "Challenges of the Nations" study, the average number of
problems discussed by the citizens of each country varies. With an
average of 3.6 answers per person, the most problems are expressed
by the Nigerians. In Brazil, where
citizens mention an average of 2.4 topics, 3 topics are even
mentioned by more than 30 percent of respondents. In all the other
countries, such a high level of recognition is reserved for a
maximum of one topic. The most critical Europeans are the Germans
and the French, who cite an average of 2.6 and 2.5 problems,
respectively.
Those countries with below-average levels of concern are
Switzerland (1.7 challenges) and
South Africa (1.6), as well as
Turkey and the USA, each with an average of 1.5 answers per
person. Sweden, traditionally the
European country with fewest concerns - and now by global standards
as well - keeps an unchanged figure of just 1.2 topics.
About the study
This year, the scope of the "Challenges of the Nations" study
comprises 17 countries globally - including six new countries: As
in previous studies, the participants in Europe are Germany, France, Italy, Spain,
Austria, Poland, Great
Britain, Belgium,
Russia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Turkey and Switzerland are included for the first time
this year. Additionally, the African continent is represented for
the first time by South Africa and
Nigeria, while North and
South America are represented by
the USA and Brazil. A total of 19,767 people were surveyed
as their country representatives. The answers represent the social,
economic and political concerns of more than a billion people. In
order to obtain a truly global viewpoint, the results from the
individual countries have been compiled - in weighted form -
according to the respective proportion of their population.
About GfK Verein
The GfK Verein was established in 1934 as a non-profit organization
for the promotion of market research. Its membership consists of
approximately 600 companies and individuals. The purpose of the
Verein is to develop innovative research methods in close
cooperation with academic institutions, to promote the training and
further education of market researchers, to observe the structures
and developments in society, the economy and politics that play a
key role in private consumption, and to research their effects on
consumers. Survey results are made available to the membership free
of charge. The GfK Verein is a shareholder in GfK SE.
About GfK
GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer
information that enables its clients to make smarter decisions.
More than 13,000 market research experts combine their passion with
GfK's long-standing data science experience. This allows GfK to
deliver vital global insights matched with local market
intelligence from more than 100 countries. By using innovative
technologies and data sciences, GfK turns big data into smart data,
enabling its clients to improve their competitive edge and enrich
consumers' experiences and choices.
For more information, please visit http://www.GfK.com or
follow GfK on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GfK_en
Contact: Stefan Gerhardt
Corporate Communications
T +49-911-395-4143
stefan.gerhardt@gfk.com
Responsible under press legislation
GfK SE, Corporate Communications
Jan Saeger
Nordwestring 101
D-90419 Nuremberg
Tel. +49-911-395-4087
press@gfk.com
SOURCE GfK