British among hardest hit as living costs rise during pandemic

Banks still have plenty of work to do to win the hearts and minds of their customers in most markets, particularly Western Europe. Less than a quarter of respondents held a favourable view of the industry, a proportion that fell to about tenth in the UK, Germany and Spain. (File pic shows the ECB HQ)

LONDON: Central bankers worldwide are weighing the probability of higher inflation. Consumers around the world say they are already feeling the pinch.

About 40% of respondents said their living costs had increased since the onset of the pandemic, according to a YouGov survey of 18,983 people conducted in 17 countries. That proportion was closer to half in the United Kingdom and United States, compared to just a fifth of Danes and Swedes.