An overwhelming majority of the Turkish population believes that the country is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new survey examining global concerns published by Ipsos polling.
The latest of the monthly-issued What Worries the World survey by Ipsos, conducted in 29 countries among a panel of over 20,000 adults between January 26 and February 9, revealed that 73 percent of Turks think things in the country are “off on the wrong track,” while 74 percent describe the current economic situation in the country as “bad.”
According to the survey, inflation is the number one concern for the 23rd consecutive month, with a 34 percent global country average. Turkey ranks fifth among the countries that see inflation as their top concern, with 50 percent, after Argentina (69 percent), Singapore (55 percent), Canada (55 percent) and Australia (51 percent).
Turks were also concerned about poverty and social inequality (30 percent), crime and violence (22 percent), unemployment (22 percent), financial/political corruption (21 percent) and terrorism (20 percent).
Only 5 percent of Turks see climate change as a worry, notable for being much lower compared to many other European countries and the global average (17 percent).
Turkey’s annual inflation rose again in February, reaching 67.1 percent despite a string of interest rate hikes, official data showed on Monday.
Inflation remains a pressing issue for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government ahead of local elections in March.
His ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is trying to win back control of major cities, including İstanbul and the capital Ankara, currently governed by the main opposition party.
Erdoğan said Sunday that anti-inflation policies “will begin to be felt in practice towards the end of the year.”
