What a year, huh?
Let’s dive into the most exciting polls of the year – from the biggest political debates to the issues that have kept us talking. Spoiler alert: Not everyone saw eye to eye.
We hope you enjoy this little trip down memory lane – and as always, thanks for being part of the journey! 🚀
Text by Lucas Shiller and Ariane Fries
The US Election: A Nation Divided
The 2024 US election made headlines not only domestically but also around the world. Donald Trump made history by becoming the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004 and the second president elected to a non-consecutive term.
🗳 Was the outcome of the 2024 US election predictable?
While data, polls, and trends can provide some clarity, the inherent unpredictability of the American voter continually keeps us guessing. In an election cycle defined by polarising political figures, social media influence, and changing voter mobilization, reliable predictions remain elusive.
A lot of our US-based publishers asked their audiences who’ll win the election. After the first projections came in, we took a look at how the users of our US partners voted in the past months: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? The chart below shows how opinion shifted: While Harris held a steady lead, Trump saw several significant surges. This serves as a reminder of how sentiment can shift rapidly, even up to the last moments.
After the election, our partner Yahoo asked how their readers felt about the results. As we can see below, the US is divided. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how opinions change during the second Trump term.
Inflation: Relief at Last?
While it finally (!) came under control in 2024, consumers began the year still feeling the effects of the international inflationary period, with the increase in prices of everyday costs like food, clothes, and housing hitting wallets particularly hard. These price hikes have made some readers cautious about the future, like those of Evoke in Ireland.
#MeToo: A Lasting Impact
Audiences in 2024 viewed the #MeToo movement mostly as “incredibly good” at exposing crimes against women. This sentiment reflects support for its role in amplifying survivors’ voices and driving accountability for perpetrators, from Hollywood to corporate America.
The movement continues to inspire global conversations. However, critics highlight areas needing improvement, including more inclusive representation and sustained efforts to address systemic barriers.
Overall, #MeToo remained a transformative force in 2024 as well.
The UK Election: Labour’s Big Comeback
The 2024 UK general election saw Keir Starmer’s Labour Party secure a landslide victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and handing the Conservative Party its worst defeat in history. Starmer, who overcame Rishi Sunak to become the new Prime Minister, promised that “change begins now” and pledged to steer the country towards “calmer waters” (Let’s hope he can swim.) Looking back, we can see what the readers of Yahoo UK thought about now former PM Rishi Sunak:
The NHS in 2024: Challenges and Change
In 2024 the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) faced significant challenges while embarking on developments critical to addressing long-standing issues. Struggling with staff shortages, increased waiting times, and record demand, the NHS prioritized workforce expansion and retention. A newly implemented pay agreement aimed to alleviate strikes among nurses and junior doctors, though concerns about its sufficiency persisted.
On the political front, calls for reform intensified, with proposals ranging from expanded public-private partnerships to a comprehensive review of service delivery. Public satisfaction with the NHS remained mixed, reflecting both gratitude for its universal care and frustration over its strained capacity.
Israeli Invasion of Lebanon: Divided Opinions Before the Conflict
It was a somber start to the fall this year, with the ground war in the Middle East expanding into Lebanon. Israel invaded Lebanon in the early hours of October first. But even before this event, readers in the UK appeared to advocate a hands-off approach, as seen in this speculative poll from before the invasion:
Paris Olympics: Breaking Boundaries
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics were a show-stopping spectacle, with over 10,500 athletes throwing down in 329 events across 32 sports. This year’s headline? For us it was how breaking (as in dance moves, not bones) grooved its way onto the Olympic stage for the first time! The United States crushed it, topping the medal chart with a whopping 40 gold medals and 126 total medals. France wasn’t too shabby either, snagging its best haul since 1900 with 64 medals, and proudly claiming fifth place.
But not everything went to plan—cue the infamous swimming debacle! Athletes dove into the Seine for the open-water races, but the water quality? Well, let’s just say bacteria levels were higher than expected, making for a challenge they hadn’t exactly trained for. Still, it didn’t stop anyone from giving it their all!
And the closing ceremony? Pure magic. The Stade de France lit up as Tom Cruise defied gravity with aerial acrobatics, and Snoop Dogg himself dropped by to wrap up (or rap up?) the games in style.
UEFA Euros: Spain’s Glory, England’s Heartbreak
The Olympics weren’t the only big sporting competition this year, the UEFA Euros showcased thrilling matches among the 24 national teams. Spain emerged as the champion, defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. The tournament featured memorable performances by teenager Lamine Yamal and ended in a bitter second straight Euro–final loss for England and manager Gareth Southgate (so long Gareth!). No wonder the readers of the Times of London were backing England, but it was the RTL readers in Germany who turned out to be right.
The Questions That Made Us Smile
Journalists are trained to ask the hard questions, but sometimes it’s the unexpected ones that truly make waves. Case in point: Do you pee in the ocean? (We won’t tell anyone.) Or try this one on for size: Do you think love can work the second time around?
Okay, so two things:
First, regarding tinkling in the ocean: bold move.
Then, the heartstring tugger: Apparently, some people are just as optimistic about love as they are shameless about the sea.
Two questions, one takeaway: honesty is the best policy – whether you’re diving into waves or second chances. 🌊❤️
P.S.: As our gift to you, please enjoy our very own Opinary end of year Spotify playlist, made for your ears!
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