The major threats to our existence have become more numerous lately. This year, the pandemic and climate crisis have been followed by war in Europe, extreme inflation and increased deadly gun violence.
Since last spring, the percentage of Swedes who have a dark view of the future has increased. But despite the war in Ukraine and the tense security situation, the Swedes still had a predominantly bright view of the future for a long time.
But just before the election, Sifo Kantar Public’s anxiety barometer turned.
“Concern about cyber attacks”
In the first week of October, more than half of Swedes, 51 percent, answered that they see a dark, or very dark, future.
– We believe that it is due to a number of different reasons, both economic and security political. You are not worried about Sweden being dragged into a direct war, but there is a concern about cyber attacks and the kind of covert attacks that can negatively affect society, says Sifo Kantar Public’s head of opinion Toivo Sjörén.
Last week, seven out of ten Swedes stated in the company’s surveys that they are worried about the consequences that the war in Ukraine may have on Swedish society.
Just as many felt concerned that many Swedish companies would have serious problems. Six out of ten Swedes worried that unemployment in society would increase and two out of three felt worried that their own household expenses would increase.
Record pessimistic
The depressed economic situation can also be seen in the Norwegian Economic Institute’s barometer for September. Households’ expectations for their own, and for the Swedish economy for the next twelve months, were record pessimistic.
Why is it important to know whether people are worried or not?
– If people are worried, you have to be able to face the worries. We know that we are exposed to psychological influence from the outside, both through social media and regular media, and then it is important to find out what people are experiencing and feeling right now, says Toivo Sjörén.