The International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research conducted its first nationwide poll of Georgia since the 2020 elections, revealing widespread economic concerns and decreased satisfaction with the Government’s COVID-19 response.

“Over years of polling, Georgians have distinguished themselves by their consistent optimism. That now seems to be changing, with citizens increasingly anxious over the economy, the pandemic and the country’s recent political crisis”, - said IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix.

According to the poll, 76% of citizens think Georgia’s economic situation has worsened either “somewhat” (37%) or “a lot” (39%) in the past year. At the household level, 63% state that their economic situation has worsened, and 71% describe it as either “somewhat” or “very” bad. Moreover, unemployment tops the list when asked to name the most important problems facing their country (65%), their town (41%) and their household (34%).

This survey was conducted on behalf of IRI’s Center for Insights in Survey Research by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene of the public and market research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization between February 2 and February 26, 2021. Data was collected using a multistage probability sampling method through in-person, in-home interviews. The sample consists of 1,500 Georgians aged 18+ and eligible to vote. The data was weighted for age, gender, region and settlement size. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5%, and the response rate was 75%. This survey was made possible by the generous support of the USAID.