A new survey reveals strong support for major tax reforms and broader political and economic changes among adults in the world’s largest economies.
According to new research commissioned by Earth4All and the Global Commons Alliance and published by research firm Ispos, about 68 percent of people in 17 G20 countries support a wealth tax on the rich to fund significant economic and lifestyle changes, with only 11 percent against it. Seventy percent of those surveyed said they favor higher income tax rates for the wealthy, and 69 percent support higher taxes on large businesses.
Support for a wealth tax is highest in Indonesia (86 percent), Turkey (78 percent), the United Kingdom (77 percent), and India (74 percent). Even in countries with the least support, like Saudi Arabia and Argentina, more than half are in favor. In the U.S., France, and Germany, about two-thirds support the tax (67 percent in each).
The survey also highlights urgent concerns about climate change. Seventy-one percent of respondents in 18 G20 countries believe immediate action is needed within the next decade to cut carbon emissions across various sectors. This view is strongest in Mexico (91 percent), South Africa (83 percent), and Brazil (81 percent), though it is significant even in countries with lower concern levels, such as Saudi Arabia (52 percent), Japan (53 percent), the U.S. (62 percent), and Italy (62 percent).
In 17 G20 countries, 68 percent of respondents agree that their country’s economy should prioritize the health and well-being of people and nature over profit and wealth accumulation. Furthermore, 62 percent believe economic success should be measured by the health and well-being of citizens rather than economic growth. Respondents show strong support for using additional tax revenues to fund policies that would reshape economies and lifestyles, including green energy initiatives, universal healthcare, and enhanced workers’ rights. Even less popular measures, like universal basic income and investment in citizens’ assemblies to strengthen democracy, receive backing from about half of those surveyed.
The survey reveals widespread distrust in government, with only 39 percent of people in 17 G20 countries trusting their government to make decisions that benefit the majority, and just 37 percent believing their government can make long-term beneficial decisions.
“The message to politicians could not be clearer,” Owen Gaffney, co-lead of the Earth4All initiative, said in a statement. “The vast majority of people we surveyed in the world’s largest economies believe major immediate action is needed this decade to tackle climate change and protect nature. At the same time many feel the economy is not working for them and want political and economic reform. It’s possible this may well help explain the rise in populist leaders.”
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, executive chair of Earth4All and co-president of the Club of Rome, says the survey proves “once again” that the majority of citizens across G20 countries believe it is time for an economy that delivers greater well-being, more climate solutions, and less inequality. “But the results also show a lack of trust in government especially in Europe,” Dixson-Declève said. “With the recent European elections moving towards the radical right, we need to hold governments accountable to introduce an economy that services people and planet at the same time.”
Jane Madgwick, Executive Director at the Global Commons Alliance, echoed this urgency, saying, “Science demands a giant leap to address the planetary crisis, climate change and to protect nature. And 71 percent of citizens in 18 G20 countries surveyed support immediate action within the next decade to reduce carbon emissions.”
The survey also found a strong call for reform of national and global political and economic systems. In 17 G20 countries, 65 percent of respondents believe their national political system needs significant changes (36 percent) or complete reform (29 percent). Similarly, 67 percent feel their economic system needs major changes (41 percent) or a complete overhaul (27 percent). On average, 62 percent of respondents in 18 G20 countries are optimistic about their personal future. However, only 44 percent feel positive about their country’s future, and 38 percent are optimistic about the future of the world. Optimism is highest among respondents in emerging economies like Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and India, as well as in China and Saudi Arabia. In contrast, participants in Europe, Japan, and South Korea tend to be less optimistic.
These findings come as G20 finance ministers, including those from the U.S., China, and India, prepare to meet in Brazil in July, where a wealth tax will be discussed for the first time.
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