STOCKHOLM—Chinese and Swedes are very worried. At least that’s what Swedish insurance company Trygg Hansa discovered in their survey of the worries of 7,000 people from seven nations—Sweden, Argentina, Canada, China, Poland, Great Britain, and the United Arab Emirates. The company polled 16- to 64-year-olds to find out which nation worries most and what specifically are they worried about. Results showed that Chinese worry most, followed by the Swedes.
The Swedish firm found their countrymen were most concerned about the environment, climate change, and cancer. Of all the countries, Sweden was the only country whose citizens felt that the destruction of the environment is the greatest threat they face.
“I believe that one of the reasons that Swedes worry so much is that they are very aware and responsible,” said Malou Sjörin of Trygg Hansa in a statement. “For instance, when they decide to have children, they take all kinds of classes and read up on the subject. They are aware of different risks and possible consequences of things.”
Sjörin believes that media plays an important role in what scares people.
“Among the Swedes, food hazards came in fifth place. This is a typical case where massive media coverage has played a role. We have had several food scandals lately, such as stores changing the expiration date on minced meat, pieces of glass found in chicken, high acrylamide levels in potato chips, and so on,” said Sjörin.
Families with older children tended to worry the most, followed by families with younger children. Before people start families, they tend to worry less.
In Great Britain, people’s biggest worries were over antisocial behavior.
Earthquakes and food hazards are what scare the Chinese the most. Argentineans worry about illegal drugs and governmental corruption, while Poles worry about drunk driving and dangerous drivers in general, the survey shows.
The Swedish firm found their countrymen were most concerned about the environment, climate change, and cancer. Of all the countries, Sweden was the only country whose citizens felt that the destruction of the environment is the greatest threat they face.
“I believe that one of the reasons that Swedes worry so much is that they are very aware and responsible,” said Malou Sjörin of Trygg Hansa in a statement. “For instance, when they decide to have children, they take all kinds of classes and read up on the subject. They are aware of different risks and possible consequences of things.”
Sjörin believes that media plays an important role in what scares people.
“Among the Swedes, food hazards came in fifth place. This is a typical case where massive media coverage has played a role. We have had several food scandals lately, such as stores changing the expiration date on minced meat, pieces of glass found in chicken, high acrylamide levels in potato chips, and so on,” said Sjörin.
Families with older children tended to worry the most, followed by families with younger children. Before people start families, they tend to worry less.
In Great Britain, people’s biggest worries were over antisocial behavior.
Earthquakes and food hazards are what scare the Chinese the most. Argentineans worry about illegal drugs and governmental corruption, while Poles worry about drunk driving and dangerous drivers in general, the survey shows.
