FII PRIORITY Compass survey of 61,200 people across 32 countries reveals the pressures, expectations, and opportunities shaping the global agenda
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, October 27, 2026 – The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute today released the fifth edition of the FII PRIORITY Compass, revealing that the cost of living remains the world’s leading concern for the fifth consecutive year, underscoring the growing economic pressures influencing family decisions, trust in institutions, and expectations of technology.
Drawing on the views of 61,200 adults across 32 countries, representing 66% of the global population, the report provides a unique snapshot of the issues people believe should command the attention of investors, business leaders and policymakers.
HRH Princess Dr. Maha Bint Mishari Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, CEO of FII Institute, said:
“The FII PRIORITY Compass reveals a world united by shared concerns and unmet needs. For five consecutive years, the cost of living has remained the dominant global priority, affecting people’s choices, aspirations and opportunities. The Compass serves as a practical guide for investors and decision-makers, helping direct policy and capital toward solutions that generate sustainable returns while improving lives.”
The findings highlight a widening gap in global outlook. Nearly half of respondents in the Global South believe the world is moving in the right direction, compared with only 15% in the Global North, revealing starkly different perceptions of progress and opportunity.
The survey also points to a growing consensus around artificial intelligence. While a majority say AI has already improved their lives, support for stronger global governance is overwhelming, with 85% calling for international rules to regulate its development and use.
As automation becomes more present in everyday life, attitudes remain pragmatic. Respondents are broadly comfortable with robots performing household tasks, yet enthusiasm declines when technology takes on more sensitive caregiving roles.
The research further reveals the impact of economic pressure on family aspirations. More than half of respondents say living costs and debt are preventing them from having the number of children they would like, highlighting the long-term social consequences of financial insecurity.
Digital safety also emerged as a significant concern. A majority support stronger safeguards for young people online, including verified parental consent requirements for children using social media platforms.
Despite widespread perceptions of political bias in traditional media, most respondents continue to view established news organisations as reliable sources of information, reflecting an increasingly complex relationship between trust and credibility in the information age.
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About the FII PRIORITY Compass
The fifth edition of the Compass was originally scheduled to be launched during the tenth edition of the Future Investment Initiative conference, which has since been postponed. The Institute draws on the Compass to shape its agenda around the priorities of citizens worldwide, with this edition focusing on financial pressures and growing demands for safeguards governing emerging technologies.
Conducted in partnership with Ipsos between April 24 and June 5, 2026, the online survey gathered views from 61,200 adults aged 18 and over in 32 countries, collectively representing 66% of the global population.
Read the full FII PRIORITY Compass and explore country and regional findings: https://fii-institute.org/publication/fii-priority-compass-2026-full-report/
About the FII Institute
The FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: making a positive impact on humanity. Through its three pillars, THINK, XCHANGE, and ACT, the Institute fosters innovative ideas, empowers innovators, and invests in scalable solutions across critical sectors, including AI and robotics, sustainability, healthcare, and education.
For more information, please visit: https://fii-institute.org/
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