COVID-19 MENA CONSUMER SENTIMENT TRACKER · 2020-03-24 · 7 ‒© Ipsos | COVID© Ipsos | COVID--19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker The Government

Saudi Arabia Edition

15th – 18th March 2020

COVID-19 MENA CONSUMER SENTIMENT TRACKER

UNDERSTANDING ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS AND FUTURE EXPECTATIONS

© Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker

INTRODUCTION

2 ‒ © Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker

© Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker© Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker3 ‒

TRACKING PUBLIC SENTIMENT & BEHAVIOR

IN LIGHT OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.

THE CORONAVIRUS HAS IMPACTED MARKETS,

BEHAVIORS AND LIVES.

Understanding how citizen and consumer opinions and

behaviors are evolving in this time of uncertainty is

crucial in order to be able effectively manage and initiate

the appropriate response.

COVID-19 MENA CONSUMER SENTIMENT TRACKER monitors a multitude of aspects in light of the coronavirus

outbreak, including, but not limited to concerns about the

virus, expectations from authorities, changes in

behaviors, and perceived impact.

15th to 18th

March

SELF-ADMINISTERED

ONLINE INTERVIEWS

SAMPLE SIZE

1,000


WHAT ARE PEOPLE HEARING ABOUT COVID-19


© Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker© Ipsos | COVID-19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker

71%

17%

5%3% 4%

A Great Deal A Fair Amount Not Very Much

Nothing At All Don’t Know

5 ‒

70% 72%67%

75%70% 71% 68%

78%

51%

17% 16%14%

16%18% 18%

17%

14%

34%

Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45+ Locals Arabs Asians

A Great Deal A Fair Amount

How much, if at all, have you seen, read or heard about the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak?

Majority have heard a great deal about the coronavirus out

break, lower levels amongst Asians.


22%

30%

19%

11%

11%

Strongly agree Somewhat agree

Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

6 ‒

The media has exaggerated the extent of the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak

Many believe there is at least some exaggeration by the

media – Arabs are more trusting of media stories.

24% 21% 23% 24% 23% 20% 23%

2%

23%

31%28% 27%

32%27% 31% 29%

29%

41%




The Government is seen as the most reliable source of

information on COVID-19 related news.To what degree do you trust each of the following to deliver information on the Coronavirus?

88%

81%

84%

84%

80%

79%

86%

86%

77%

84%

Overall

Male

Female

15 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45+

Locals

Arab Expats

Asian Expats

81%

79%

83%

78%

80%

79%

85%

81%

80%

83%

80%

80%

80%

76%

83%

75%

85%

79%

82%

75%

79%

79%

79%

78%

79%

80%

79%

76%

83%

84%

Government Government WebsitesLocal Health

Organization

World Health

Organization

78%

78%

77%

71%

78%

80%

81%

75%

81%

80%

Scientists

% Mostly + Completely trust


HOW CONCERNED ARE PEOPLE ABOUT COVID-19



The coronavirus or COVID-19 is:

70%65% 62%

69% 70% 70% 67% 71%

58%


Very Dangerous

68%

25%

7%

Very Dangerous

A little more dangerous than the average seasonal flu

Not any more dangerous than the average seasonal flu

Majority realize the dangers of COVID-19, but youth and

Asians are slightly less concerned.


44%

25% 23% 22% 20% 18%

38%

38%35%

32%25%

24%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

The World Country Local Community Job / Business Family Personally

Very High threat High threat

However, people view COVID-19 as more of a threat to

those furthest away from them.

What level of threat do you think the coronavirus or COVID-19 poses to each of the following?


12%

21%

21%

12%

11%

Very likely Somewhat likely

Neither likely nor unlikely Somewhat unlikely

Very unlikely

11 ‒

With only a minority thinking it is very likely that someone

around them will be infected.

12% 11% 11% 13% 11% 12% 12% 11% 9%

24%16% 17%

24%19%

23%18%

25%21%


Very likely Somewhat Likely

Someone close to me will be infected by the virus


Majority do not believe COVID-19 will reach a crisis point,

with similar levels of concern across demographics.

Which of the following is closest to your point of view about the state of the virus in the coming weeks?

18% 15%21%

16% 16% 15% 17% 17% 14%

59%55% 47% 61% 61%

58% 55% 59% 65%

24%30% 33%

22% 24% 28% 29% 24% 21%

Male Female 15-24 yearsold

25-34 yearsold

35-44 yearsold

45+ yearsold

Local Arabs Asians

We will not see any more cases of the virus

The number of infections will increase but will not reach a crisis

The number of infections will increase and become a crisis

16%

57%

26%

The number of infections will increase

and become a crisis

The number of infections will

increase but will not reach a crisis

We will not see any more cases

of the virus


35%

36%

13%

4%1%


Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

13 ‒

Majority believe the coronavirus impact will disappear by

June, with Asians most likely to agree.

35% 35%25%

37% 37% 39%34% 34%

44%

37% 35%

35%

39%34%

37%

34%39%

38%



I expect things to return to normal by about June of this year.


WHAT ARE THEIR EXPECTATIONS FROM INSTITUTIONS?



The vast majority see a total quarantine as a necessary

response if more cases start appearing.

If your government had decided to totally quarantine certain towns or cities because of large numbers of

coronavirus or COVID-19 cases – would you think:

9% 8% 11% 11%5% 8% 8% 8%

21%

92% 91%90% 90%

95% 93% 93% 93%

79%

Male Female 15-24 yearsold

25-34 yearsold

35-44 yearsold

45+ years old Local Arabs Asians

They are over-reacting, a total quarantine is excessive A total quarantine is correct given the risk

92%

8%

A total quarantine is correct given the

risk

They are over-reacting, a total

quarantine is excessive


National Health Organization

The Government

Local Health Authorities

World Health Organization

Businesses

The United Nations 68%

77%

80%

88%

92%

93%

17%

13%

13%

6%

4%

4%

15%

9%

7%

6%

4%

4%

Very / Good Job Very / Poor Job

Governments and health organizations seen as best

performers, Businesses & UN falling short in comparison.

How good or poor a job is each of the following doing to contain the spread of the virus?


We should close the

borders of my country

until the virus is proven

to be contained

My country’s

government has done a

good job of telling

people how to prepare

for the impact of the

coronavirus

Health services in my

country are well

prepared to cope with

the impact of the

coronavirus

I am confident

pharmaceutical

companies will soon

develop a vaccine or

treatment for COVID-19

There is higher confidence in authorities & health services

when compared to pharmaceutical companies.

67%

22%

6%2%

62%

26%

6%3%

52%33%

7%2%

39%

37%

3%2%

11%


WHAT COUNTER MEASURES ARE PEOPLE TAKING?



Washing hands is most common counter measure taken.

Youth are less cautious, while Asians prefer masks.Have you taken any personal actions to protect yourself from the Coronavirus or COVID-19?

Washing hands more

often

Using hand sanitizer

through the dayUsing more disinfectants Wearing a face mask

40%

43%

34%

31%

41%

41%

42%

35%

43%

62%

76%

78%

74%

65%

76%

78%

72%

72%

Overall

Male

Female

15 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45+

Locals

Arab Expats

Asian Expats

58%

59%

55%

46%

57%

62%

62%

55%

61%

60%

55%

57%

51%

52%

56%

56%

54%

51%

60%

46%

81%

82%


People are more likely to avoid contact and public

facilities. Work & places of Worship less so.And, have you started doing any of the following specifically to protect yourself from the Coronavirus or

COVID-19?

57%

58%

57%

51%

58%

56%

64%

54%

61%

61%

Overall

Male

Female

15 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45+

Locals

Arab Expats

Asian Expats

49%

52%

46%

40%

52%

46%

57%

48%

51%

50%

46%

49%

43%

33%

49%

49%

51%

40%

53%

59%

21%

21%

21%

18%

22%

21%

22%

20%

22%

27%

52%

51%

52%

45%

54%

51%

55%

49%

56%

42%

Avoid shaking hands Avoid public toilets Avoid public transport Avoid close contact with

others Avoid places of worship Avoid the work place

10%

18%

23%

25%

20%

15%

20%

23%

14%

22%


WHAT IS THE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS?



There are concerns of a global recession, but impact is

believed less likely to impact the country itself.

Significant layoffs in my

country

A major employer

where I live will go out

of business

A global recession

38%

38%

9%

4%3%13%

18%

23%

18%

13%15%

25%

20%

13%

13%

For More Information, please contact:

Nicola Qahoush

Research Manager – Ipsos MENA

[email protected]

THANK YOU

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

COVID-19 MENA CONSUMER SENTIMENT TRACKER · 2020-03-24 · 7 ‒© Ipsos | COVID© Ipsos | COVID--19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker19 MENA Consumer Sentiment Tracker The Government