The International Microbiota Observatory: what is it? Welcome to the results page

A barometer of people's knowledge and behavior around the world

The International Microbiota Observatory explores how populations in each of the 11 surveyed countries understand, perceive and manage their microbiota, year after year.

In 2026, the survey confirms a continuing rise in microbiota awareness: with more than 7 in 10 respondents having now heard of the term and awareness of specific microbiota has increased across the board. Yet only 1 in 4 know exactly what the microbiota is. This gap between awareness and real understanding is one of the defining findings of this fourth edition.

More concerning still: protective behaviors have slightly declined, and patients report receiving less information from healthcare professionals than the year before, with only half having received at least one piece of information. This is despite the fact that the majority of people still rank healthcare professionals as their most trusted source. The most trusted channel is also the least activated, a paradox that makes the case for a new approach to microbiota education: Understand it. Act on it.

What do people know about microbiota and how do they behave? 

Archives of previous editions of the International Microbiota Observatory

A new focus for its fourth edition: the first 1,000 days of life

For the 2026 edition, the Observatory includes a dedicated focus on the first 1,000 days of life, presented at the ESPGHAN congress in Lille. From June 24 to 27, the Observatory joins their endeavor in education provision and knowledge exchange to share new survey results and key insights for the healthcare field.

Since 2024, the International Microbiota Observatory has been supported by a scientific committee

In 2024, a multidisciplinary international scientific committee was set up to: 

• oversee the 2024 survey’s editorial process (made by Ipsos) 
• give a critical analysis about the 2024’s survey & results in his field (gastroenterology, gynecology, diet…) in a scientific article, interview or other publication that could be shared on the Institute’s website and available in 7 languages 
• promote and support the International Microbiota Observatory’s roll out on a national level among colleagues, physicians, patients, medical societies… 

This scientific committee is made up of:

The International Microbiota Observatory is backed up by a rigorous methodology

The survey was conducted over the Internet between February 3 and Mars 13, 2026. For each country, the sample is representative of the population aged 18 and over in terms of :

• gender
• age
• profession
• region

Representativeness was ensured via quota sampling, the most commonly used sampling method for obtaining a representative sample of the population studied. The quota variables for each country were gender, age, region, and socio-professional category. The data were adjusted:

• within each country, again to ensure that each population is representative
• globally, so that each country has the same weight. Statistical analyses were carried out using Cosi software (M.L.I., France, 1994), with a significance level of 95%

The survey population was 48% male and 52% female. The sample of 7,500 individuals made it possible to carry out a detailed analysis by age group:

• 18-24
• 25-34
• 35-44
• 45-59
• 60 and over

The changes shown are year-over-year, that is, compared to the 3rd edition of the Observatory conducted in 2025. Changes relative to previous editions—the first and second editions—are shown on a constant scope basis, meaning they were calculated by considering only those countries included in all waves of the survey (namely the United States, Brazil, Mexico, France, Portugal, and China). Other countries, which were included in the Observatory’s second or third editions, are not included in the results presented on a constant scope basis. 

The questionnaire includes 24 questions on:

1. socio-demographic data
2. the level of knowledge about microbiomes
3. the level of and desire for information from healthcare professionals
4. the level of knowledge and information among parents and pregnant women regarding a child’s microbiome
5. the identification and adoption of behaviors designed to combat microbiome imbalances
6. the level of knowledge, information, and behaviors of women about the vulvo-vaginal microbiome
7. health data

The questionnaire lasted ten minutes and the 7,500 individuals had to complete the entire questionnaire in order to be included in the survey. The terms used in the questionnaire to talk about the microbiome have been translated and adapted to the terms used in each country.

"Biocodex Microbiota Institute thanks for sharing this great observatory. Consumer education on microbiome must be on the top priorities if we want to make a healthier microbiome a reality for all! You are doing a great job!" ^{_{- Dr. Amine ZORGANI (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)}}

"Biocodex Microbiota Institute great content and vision!" ^{_{- Dr. Amine ZORGANI (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)}}

"Interesting !" ^{_{- Véronique Molénat (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)}}

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