Since 2016, every three months, YouGov has asked the public in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany (and from 2021 Italy and Spain) what the top two issues from a list of 14 they consider to be the top problems currently facing their country.
This most recent data is from 10-21 September 2026, with this article updated on 2 October 2026
The most important issues facing the United Kingdom
What are the top issues facing the United Kingdom?
Immigration and the economy continue to dominate the list of top issues for Britons, with 41% naming immigration and 38% the economy. Health ranks third, with 20% of Britons identifying it as one of the biggest issues facing the UK.
How have views on the top issues facing the United Kingdom changed?
Concern about crime has fallen from 15% in June to 11% now, reversing most of the increase recorded in the previous wave.
Concern about health is unchanged on 20%, having fallen from 30% in December to 24% in March and 20% in June.
The most important issues facing France
What are the top issues facing France?
The economy remains France's most commonly cited national issue, with 54% of French people naming it as one of the country's biggest problems. This is the highest figure recorded in France since the tracker began in 2016. Immigration and health are joint second on 25%, while the environment is fourth on 19%.
How have views on the top issues facing France changed?
Concern about the economy has risen from 46% in June to 54% now. Fieldwork took place amid a renewed focus on France's public finances. The government cut its growth forecast for 2026, said it would miss its deficit target for the year, and set out plans for around €54 billion of savings in its 2027 budget.
Concern about crime has fallen from 22% to 12%, more than reversing the increase recorded in the previous wave. Concern about the environment has risen from 13% to 19%, presumably as a result of this summer's heatwaves.
The most important issues facing Germany
What are the top issues facing Germany?
The economy remains the issue Germans are most likely to describe as a top national issue, on 38%. Immigration ranks second at 25%, followed by health at 21%. The rich-poor gap and terrorism/aggression follow on 16% and 15% respectively.
How have views on the top issues facing Germany changed?
Concern about terrorism/aggression has risen from 9% in June to 15% now, with Germany having experienced a terror attack near Berlin Pride in July and also a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport in August that has since been attributed to Russia. Concern about energy supplies has risen from 9% to 14%, after falling in the previous wave.
Concern about the rich-poor gap has fallen from 21% to 16%, and concern about infrastructure has fallen from 16% to 11%.
The most important issues facing Italy
What are the top issues facing Italy?
Health remains Italy's most commonly cited national issue, with 39% of Italians naming it as one of the country's biggest problems. The economy ranks second at 32%, while immigration is third on 23%. Crime follows on 17% and the environment on 16%.
How have views on the top issues facing Italy changed?
Concern about health has continued to edge down, from 48% in December to 39% now, its lowest level since September 2023.
Concern about crime has fallen from 23% in June to 17%, while concern about the environment has risen from 11% to 16%.
The most important issues facing Spain
What are the top issues facing Spain?
Immigration has overtaken housing as Spain's most cited national issue, named by 56% of Spaniards. This is the highest figure recorded for any issue in Spain in the series. Housing is second on 44%, while the economy is third on 18%, just ahead of health on 16%.
How have views on the top issues facing Spain changed?
Concern about immigration has risen from 31% in June to 56% now. Fieldwork followed the arrival of thousands of migrants in Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July.
Concern about housing has fallen from 52% to 44%, its lowest level since June 2025. Concern about health has fallen from 27% to 16%, the lowest figure recorded for Spain in the series, and concern about the economy has fallen from 22% to 18%.
The most important issues facing Denmark
What are the top issues facing Denmark?
No single issue dominates in Denmark. Immigration and the environment rank jointly first, each cited by 25% of Danes, while health and terrorism/aggression are jointly third on 24%.
How have views on the top issues facing Denmark changed?
Concern about education has risen from 8% in June to 17% now, its highest level since November 2018. Concern about the economy has fallen from 16% to 11%.
How do top national issues differ between European countries?
Immigration is the only issue to rank among the top three in all six countries. It tops the list in Britain and Spain, and jointly in Denmark. Beyond that, national priorities differ considerably. The economy leads in France and Germany, while health ranks first in Italy. Spain stands apart on housing, with 44% naming it as a top issue, compared with 11% or fewer elsewhere.
Denmark also has a distinctive profile. Terrorism/aggression is named by 24% of Danes, compared with 15% or fewer elsewhere. Danes are also the most likely to cite the environment (25%) and education (17%). Italy likewise stands out on health, cited by 39% of Italians, compared with between 16% and 25% elsewhere. France stands out on the economy, named by 54% of French people, compared with between 11% and 38% elsewhere.
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