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Cost-of-living concerns will be the major issue of 2026

Natalie Baker joined a symposium for NOTUS, in which she argues that the rising cost of living will be the defining issue of 2026.

Inflation has fallen from its post-pandemic peak, yet cost-of-living pressures continue to haunt households globally. For much of 2025, inflation was still the top issue in Ipsos’ “what worries the world” survey — not surprising, given the highly salient and sticky impacts of inflation at rates not seen for decades. Moreover, the Trump administration’s tariff policies sent global economic uncertainty to record highs in 2025, paralyzing businesses’ decision-making and prompting still higher prices, from household essentials to durable goods.

The above excerpt was originally published in NOTUS. Click here to view the full article.

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Natalie Baker

Director of Economic Analysis

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