It's the end of the year. I was wondering how you would summarise 2024? Someone asked this question on Reddit and the general answers appear to be that the world is going to hell and there is little we can do about it. Nice, although the regular surveys by Ipsos disagree:
Despite the cost of living crisis and conflicts around the world, fewer people say this year was bad. Two-thirds (65%) say 2024 was a bad year for my country, the lowest figure since 2019.
However, positivity for the new year yet is still set to return to pre-COVID levels. Seven in ten (71%) say they are optimistic 2025 will be better than this year, below the level of positivity seen before the pandemic.
People expect greater regulation of the tech industry. Back in 2021, when we last asked this question, 38% expected their government to introduce strict rules for large tech companies, in 2024 this has risen to 47%.
Fewer think stronger laws to fight climate change will be introduced. The proportion who think their government will introduce stronger targets to reduce carbon emissions is down 3pp compared to last year (now 52%).
Will 2025 be any better? Well, let's wait and see but, in the meantime, wishing you all a wonderful holiday break. See you next year ...
Chris M Skinner
Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...
