Familiarity of the Concept of Private Equity is Low Among Adults in Five EU Countries and in the U.S.

Financial Times/Harris Poll Shows Familiarity of the Concept of Private Equity is Low Among Adults in Five EU Countries and in the U.S.

Results from the latest Financial Times/Harris Poll, conducted among adults in five European countries and in the United States, indicate that only very small percentages of the population in each country are familiar with the concept of ‘private equity’. Familiarity with private equity ranges from 16 percent in Italy to only seven percent in Germany. Majorities in almost all of the countries surveyed, with the exception of Italy (49%) state they are ‘not at all familiar’ with private equity.

The study found that, among those who are familiar with private equity, attitudes about private equity are fairly consistent, though more positive in Spain. For example, a majority in Spain feel that the industry creates more jobs than it destroys (51% versus 20%). Conversely, the perception in France (37%) and Germany (40%) is that the private equity industry is perceived as destroying more jobs than it creates.

On one point there is a near consensus among the countries, with the exception of the US: at least eight out of every 10 adults familiar with private equity in each country agree that there should be greater transparency from the private equity industry sector relating to performance and the companies owned. In the U.S., however, a smaller proportion of those familiar say there should be greater transparency, with just over one in five saying ‘no’ and another one in five are ‘not sure’.

See full Press Release.