IEA Research — 2026
A major poll of 3,001 British voters examines why Britain's economy has underperformed, what the public believes is holding it back, and what it will take to build a mandate for reform.
Public Priorities
Support for prioritising economic growth is overwhelming. Very few voters believe the country is already wealthy enough, and only a small minority remain unsure.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Q: "Which of the following comes closest to your view?"When asked what would actually grow the economy, the public's instincts are predominantly supply-side. Large majorities back cutting energy costs, reducing taxes, and easing planning restrictions — a set of priorities that maps closely on to a free-market reform agenda. Policies that add costs or expand state control are widely seen as harmful.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Q: "For each of the following actions, please indicate whether you think it would lead to growth, contraction or make no impact on the UK economy?"Britons overwhelmingly want growth — but most cannot define it clearly, and many doubt it will ever reach them personally.
\"I don't think I've ever seen real economic growth — to know what it actually feels like or looks like.\"
Younger male voter — Freshwater Strategy focus group for the IEA, February 2026
The Wealth Gap
The average Briton is significantly poorer than the average person in Switzerland, Singapore, the United States, Australia, and Germany. Most Britons did not realise this was the case.
GDP per capita projections (current USD). Source: IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEOPerception vs Reality
When asked to rank the UK against other countries and US states, the gap between what people believe and what is actually true is stark — and the reaction to the truth is one of shock and embarrassment.
On average, Brits place the UK 5th globally in GDP per capita — a position that would place it firmly among the world's wealthiest nations.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026The UK ranks 21st globally — behind not just the US and Switzerland, but also the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Belgium.
IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEOBrits place the UK 7th wealthiest among US states, believing it sits comfortably above most of America's 50 states in GDP per capita.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026The UK ranks behind every single US state — including Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Over a quarter of respondents described themselves as \"shocked\" upon learning this.
IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO\"It's kind of shocking to think, actually, we're quite lower down than expected.\"
Younger female voter — Freshwater Strategy focus group for the IEA, February 2026
The Kitchen Sink
The public agrees with a wide range of explanations for stagnation — from supply-side constraints to statist remedies. This reveals both the challenge and the opportunity for advocates of market-oriented reform.
