COVID-19 public behavior changes by generation worldwide 2020

A recent poll shows that the most common change in behaviour in response to the coronavirus outbreak across all generations is to avoid crowded places. Gen Z was the most likely to decide not to attend social gatherings if invited, and Baby Boomers were the most likely to have not taken any of the selected measures. This statistic shows the percentage of respondents who have taken select measures because of the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide as of March 12, 2020, by generation.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Percentage of respondents who have taken select measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide as of March 12, 2020, by generation

Characteristic	Gen Z	Millennials	Gen X	Baby Boomers
Avoid crowded places	79%	74%	76%	76%
Avoided public transport	61%	53%	52%	41%
Cancelled planned trips to another country	21%	25%	20%	19%
Cancelled planned trips within your own country	37%	38%	31%	29%
Changed the times at which you commute / travel	28%	24%	21%	10%
Decided not to attend parties / social gatherings you were invited to	65%	53%	49%	39%
Purchased extra food / drink supplies	51%	49%	40%	30%
Purchased extra household supplies	55%	44%	39%	27%
Reduced visits to bars / cafes / restaurants	57%	57%	54%	52%
None of these	3%	5%	9%	12%

Loading statistic...

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Already a member?

Source

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

March 2020

More information

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

March 5 to March 12, 2020

Number of respondents

12,845 respondents

Age group

16-64 years

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

Original question: Have you done any of the following because of the coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak?

Data comes from a GlobalWebIndex March 2020 custom recontact survey among 1,004 (Australia), 1,001 (Brazil), 1,003 (China), 1,016 (France), 1,010 (Germany), 1,010 (Italy), 1,079 (Japan), 1,008 (Philippines), 1,008 (Singapore), 573 (South Africa), 1,005 (Spain), 1,040 (UK) and 1,088 (USA) internet users aged 16-64.

Citation formats