Georgia Poll Reflects Support for the Government’s COVID-19 Management and Concerns About Economy Ahead of Election

Tbilisi, Georgia – A new nationwide survey of Georgia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research reveals sustained support for the government’s management of COVID-19 as well as persistent anxiety over the economy.

“Since IRI’s June 2020 survey of Georgia, public perceptions of the government’s COVID-19 response and concerns about the economy have remained steady,” said IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix. “The fact that an overwhelming majority intend to vote in next month’s parliamentary elections indicates that these issues are motivating citizens to go to the polls and make their voices heard.”

According to the poll, 82 percent of Georgians are either “very” (37 percent) or “somewhat” (45 percent) satisfied with the government’s response to COVID-19, consistent with the 79 percent who were either “very” (41 percent) or “somewhat” (38 percent) satisfied in IRI’s June 2020 survey. When asked to cite the government’s main accomplishments, the fight against COVID-19 topped the list (22 percent), with healthcare reform following in second place (12 percent).

In terms of the problems facing Georgia today, unemployment remains the most important issue affecting towns and villages, with 25 percent of citizens ranking it first. On a household level, unemployment was also cited as a top concern, with 31 percent of Georgians naming it as the most important problem. When asked how their household’s economic situation changed as a result COVID-19, a combined 64 percent said it had worsened “a lot” (25 percent) or “somewhat” (39 percent).

As Georgia prepares for parliamentary elections on October 31, 90 percent of citizens plan to participate, with 74 percent “very” likely to vote and 16 percent “somewhat” likely. Intended voter turnout was largely consistent across the main demographic groups surveyed, including all age groups, educational levels and settlements.

Methodology

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 August 4 and August 21, 2020. The fieldwork was conducted by the Institute of Polling and Marketing. 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 older 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 percent and the response rate was 75 percent. This survey was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development.