Global citizens place economic security, employment, and institutional trust at the heart of their expectations.
That is, at least, what the conclusions of a new report published recently by the international research and advisory organization Gallup, in partnership with the World Government Summit, reveal, highlighting the major concerns of populations in 107 countries in 2025.
According to the study, 23% of respondents cite the economy as their main problem, a figure that reflects households’ growing difficulty in meeting their basic needs.
Residents of low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, more often mention rising prices, low wages, and housing insecurity. Young people, women, and those in distress are the most affected by this economic insecurity.
Moreover, work-related concerns account for 10% of responses. They are not limited to unemployment, but include job quality, working conditions, and professional dignity. Even in countries with relatively low unemployment rates, citizens complain about the lack of quality jobs and the absence of sustainable prospects.
Although the study does not detail the needs by country, it does indicate that in Africa the economy is the main concern. This includes living standards, high prices, and low wages. Work-related problems, such as unemployment and working conditions, are the second major concern in this region, with a median of 19% of respondents.
Basic needs, such as food security and access to housing, are also an important concern, cited by 13% of respondents in Sub-Saharan Africa. In low-income countries, 81% of respondents identify the economy, work, policy/governance, security, or food/housing as their main concerns.
This reflects fundamental challenges linked to limited economic resources. Conversely, in poor countries, women are more likely than men to cite economic concerns as their main problem, due to increased economic insecurity.
In some African countries, security-related concerns dominate due to political instability and armed conflicts. A sobering finding that led the study’s authors to recommend that African leaders focus on meeting the fundamental needs of their populations, such as food security, access to housing, and the creation of quality jobs. According to the study, “economic stability and security are essential prerequisites for progress in other areas, such as governance and social development”.
