Less than a third of Bogotanos think things are going well in their city, according to a recent poll conducted by the research group IPSOS – Napoleon Franco.
Colombian media reported that the poll found only 32% of respondents were content with how things are going in Bogota, a 19% decrease. Only 56% were proud of their city, which is the lowest level since 2000.
The financial situation of many citizens has deteriorated. While only 35% have said their economic status improved, 29% said they had stopped paying certain household necessities, such as rent payments. Many families have cut out one of their three meals a few days a week. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents admitted to not making bank payments, compared to 2010 when no one missed payments.
Ex-Mayor Samuel Moreno was voted the worst mayor of Bogota in the last 10 years. The former mayor’s approval rating is at 11%, which has gone down 17% from last year. Dissatisfaction with the city government increased 21% to 65% overall. Many people cited Moreno’s corruption scandal as the reason for their disapproval.
“The recent scandals and the deterioration in the quality of life in the city, directly affect the citizens. Beyond the obvious, we must also interpret the reaction of Bogatanos against the bad government and the lack of results,” said Julian Torres, the director of the program that released the report.
According to the poll, a third of respondents described the city as unsafe. 26% reported that they had been the victims of a crime, usually theft.
Satisfaction rates in private schools trump those in public schools with 77% reportedly happy compared to 55% in public institutions.
Half the residents of the city do not feel like they are being guaranteed the right to healthcare.
Transportation remains a problem despite the city’s efforts to improve the system. Interestingly, a small minority uses bicycles for transportation but they report the highest levels of satisfaction with their method of moving around. More people use public transportation but only about a third are content.
The city currently has socially conservative leanings as well. Nearly 80% reported that they disagreed with the legalization of abortions. Three-quarters of the population believe gays should not be allowed to adopt and 68% feel gay marraige should not be legalized.