The Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program surveyed nationally representative samples of people in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and South Korea about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government and friends and family are the most trusted sources of advice about the COVID-19 pandemic, and the more trusted a government the higher its response to the pandemic is rated.

Key findings:

• In most countries, government and friends and family are the most trusted sources of advice about the COVID-19 pandemic.
• There is a close relationship between how trusted a government’s advice is and how good their COVID-19 response is rated.
• Fewer than half of those in work are confident they will keep their job.
• People want their governments to take the lead in sustaining the economy.