The rising cost of living is shaping family decisions, limiting financial security and testing public confidence across the world, with a new international survey identifying household expenses as the leading global concern for the fifth consecutive year.
The fifth edition of the FII PRIORITY Compass, released by the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute on Thursday, found that financial pressures are influencing not only how people spend their money but also their decisions about having children, their expectations of governments and their attitudes towards emerging technologies.
The study surveyed 61,200 adults across 32 countries, representing 66 per cent of the global population. Conducted in partnership with Ipsos between April 24 and June 5, 2026, it examined the issues people want investors, business leaders and policymakers to prioritise.
One of its most striking findings is the effect of economic insecurity on family planning. More than half of respondents said the cost of living and debt were preventing them from having the number of children they wanted.
The finding suggests that financial hardship extends beyond immediate difficulties with food, housing and other necessities. It can also influence decisions about marriage, parenthood and long-term family stability.
For countries such as Nigeria, where households face pressure from food prices, transport fares, rent and other essential expenses, the findings offer a useful international perspective.
However, the survey does not establish Nigeria-specific figures in the information released, so its global results should not be treated as a direct measurement of conditions in the country.
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Global South more hopeful than richer nations
The report also identified a striking difference in how people view the world’s direction.
Nearly half of respondents in the Global South believed the world was moving in the right direction, compared with just 15 per cent in the Global North.
The contrast points to different perceptions of progress and opportunity. However, the figures alone do not establish why respondents hold these views or suggest that people in developing countries face less economic hardship.
AI gains acceptance, but calls for regulation grow
Artificial intelligence emerged as another major concern. Although most respondents said AI had already improved their lives, 85 per cent supported international rules governing its development and use.
The finding reflects a growing demand for safeguards as AI becomes more influential in workplaces, public services, education and everyday communication.
Respondents also showed differing levels of comfort with automation. They were generally receptive to robots performing household tasks, but less enthusiastic about machines taking on sensitive caregiving responsibilities.
Digital protection featured prominently as well, with most participants supporting stronger safeguards for young people online, including verified parental consent requirements for children using social media platforms.
The survey further found that, despite perceptions of political bias in traditional media, most respondents continued to regard established news organisations as reliable information sources.
The challenge for policymakers
FII Institute Chief Executive Officer Princess Dr Maha Bint Mishari Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said the findings exposed shared concerns and unmet needs across countries.
She said the report was intended to help investors and decision-makers direct policies and capital towards solutions that generate sustainable returns while improving people’s lives.
The practical challenge is to translate these findings into measurable improvements. Governments must address household affordability, while businesses and technology developers must demonstrate that innovation can improve living standards without exposing people to unacceptable risks.
The report was originally scheduled for release during the tenth Future Investment Initiative conference, which has since been postponed.
Its central message is clear: technological progress means little to households if rising expenses continue to restrict their choices, undermine financial security and diminish their hopes for the future.
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