Voters’ perception that prices have “increased a lot”, according to survey

XP/Ipespe survey released this Friday (13) shows that voters’ perception that inflation and product prices “increased a lot” in recent months in the country rose four points compared to the previous survey, released on May 6 .

The proportion of voters who said they had this perception increased from 73% in the first week of May to 77% in the poll released this Friday. Another 21% of respondents said prices have increased.

The survey, registered at the Superior Electoral Court under protocol BR-02603/2022, heard 1,000 people across the country by telephone between May 9 and 11.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

According to data released on Wednesday (11) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), foods such as milk, potatoes and tomatoes rose by more than 10% in April. In the 12-month period, tomatoes have already risen 103.26%, and carrots, 178.02%.

In an interview with CNN This Friday, the director of Ipespe, Antonio Lavareda, stated that the predominant feeling of this year’s elections will be “anguish” and “anxiety” with the economy.

“The issue of inflation is always associated with the government. It is placed under the umbrella, the mantle of government responsibility. This occurs all over the world,” she said.

According to the political scientist, the issue also interfered in recent elections in Turkey and the United Kingdom and is an electoral concern in the United States.

“Inflation is the main scourge that scares American Democrats. They are already anticipating a disastrous performance in the midterm elections,” he said.

The XP/Ipespe survey also shows that 41% of respondents say they believe that inflation and product prices will increase in the coming months ― another 22% say that prices will increase a lot, 22% that they will stay the same, and 10% that they will decrease .

For 62%, the Brazilian economy is on the wrong path.

Regarding those who say they believe they are on the right track, the number reached 33%, six points higher since the March survey. About half of voters (49%) mentioned the economic agenda (such as inflation, unemployment, hunger, poverty and wages) when asked about the most important issues to be addressed by the next president. Inflation and the cost of living were cited by 26% of respondents and has become the issue that most concerns voters.

The topic has risen eight points since the end of 2021, overtaking education.