Survey shows cost of living is islanders' biggest concern

A new survey by Policy Centre Jersey shows that cost of living remains the issue Islanders are most concerned about, with 38% identifying it as the most important issue facing Jersey. Housing ranked second at 13%, followed by faith in government (11%) and Jersey’s economy (8%).

The survey ‘ Top Issues for Islanders’ conducted by the Island's independent think tank, the Policy Centre Jersey, uses the same questions as in the Centre’s 2025 survey and in a similar survey commissioned by the government in 2024. Cost of living has consistently ranked as the most important issue followed by housing and faith in government

Most important issues facing Jersey

• Cost of living was the most important issue across all income groups, age groups and household types.
• Housing was significantly more important for Islanders under the age of 35 than for older age groups.
• Healthcare and the hospital were more important issues for Islanders aged 55 and over than for younger Islanders.

Comparison with UK results

The survey uses the same format as the UK Ipsos Issues Index, allowing comparison with UK public opinion.

However, the results differ significantly. In the January 2026 Ipsos Issues Index, immigration was the most important issue (24%), followed by the economy (18%). Inflation and prices accounted for 9%, compared with 38% in Jersey.

Commenting on the survey, the Centre’s Senior Adviser Mark Boleat said:

“These surveys are a useful way of gauging public opinion and tracking how views change over time. The three surveys show that cost of living is consistently the issue that the people of jersey regard as the most important.

The differences between the Jersey and UK surveys are striking. In the UK immigration is by far the most important issue, with inflation much lower down the list. It may be that responses to surveys such as these are influenced in part by the volume of media and political comment on particular issues.”

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