When will life return to 'pre-COVID normal'? 

Expectations about when life might return to something like a 'pre-COVID normal' vary widely across the globe, according to a new World Economic Forum-Ipsos survey.

It found that, on average, 59% of people expect something like 'normal' will return within the next 12 months.

But there were significant differences in different countries.

In Saudi Arabia, Russia, India and mainland China, over 70% of adults expect life will return to a pre-COVID normal within a year.

In stark contract, 80% of people in Japan think it will be longer, with more half in France, Italy, South Korea and Spain agreeing.

Global contrasts

Differences emerged around the world about the return to something like a pre-COVID normal. Although more than half think it'll happen within the next 12 months, one-in-five think it will take more than 3 years, while 8% don't think it'll happen at all.

Opinions on when the pandemic will be contained also closely matched opinions on a return to normal - suggesting that people believe the two to be closely linked.

On average, 58% of those surveyed expect the pandemic to be contained within the next year. Some countries - India, mainland China and Saudi Arabia, for example - are more optimistic. But, four-in-five in Japan and more than half in countries including Australia and Sweden expect it will take more than a year for the pandemic to be contained.

The impact on mental health

The survey also asked people about the pandemic's impact on their mental health. An average of 45% of adults globally said their mental and physical health has become worse since the beginning of the pandemic.

However, since the beginning of 2021 nearly as many say it has improved as say it has worsened.