One in Seven Think World Ending Soon, Says Poll
A new survey conducted in more than 20 different countries reveals that 1 in 7 individuals believe that the world will come to an end during some point in their lifetime, while some feel the world will cease coinciding with the end of the Mayan calendar.
The survey was conducted by Ipsos Global Public Affairs and recorded responses from 16,262 people in 21 different countries on five continents. The survey posed questions regarding when they feel "Armageddon" will occur as well as fielding answers from individuals who feel the world will end when the Mayan calendar finishes its days.
The results reveal that nearly 15 percent of the world population believes or thinks that the world will end in their lifetime. While those who believe that the world will end according to the Mayan prediction comprised 10 percent of the people surveyed.
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The Mayan calendar has a total timespan of around 5,125 years and will end this year on December 21. This has created a wide buzz from all sorts of people as to the nature and future of our planet.
"Whether they think it will come to an end through the hands of God, or a natural disaster or a political event, whatever the reason, one in seven thinks the end of the world is coming," according to Keren Gottfried, research manager at Ipsos Global Public Affairs.
Responses to the international poll varied widely based in part of geographic location.
A mere six percent of French residents thought that Armageddon would occur in their lifetime, compared to 22 percent in Turkey and the United States and one percentage point less in South Africa and Argentina.
"Perhaps it is because of the media attention coming from one interpretation of the Mayan prophecy that states the world 'ends' in our calendar year 2012," Gottfried said.
