The International Microbiota Observatory: what is it? Welcome to the results page
Understanding how the world views the microbiota.
Launched in 2023 by the Biocodex Microbiota Institute in partnership with Ipsos, the International Microbiota Observatory is the largest global survey ever carried out on public and healthcare professionals’ knowledge, perceptions and behaviours regarding the human microbiota.
The Observatory tracks awareness, beliefs and practices over time, offering valuable insights into how microbiota science is reaching society. These findings help identify opportunities for education, guide future research and support informed public health initiatives worldwide.
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?
2026 edition
Discover the results
“Awareness of the microbiota keeps growing. Yet knowledge, everyday behaviors and dialogue with healthcare professionals are not keeping pace. With this new edition, the Biocodex Microbiota Institute wants to send a clear message: the microbiota should no longer be just a term people merely recognize — it should be a health topic they understand, question, and take ownership on: Understand it. Act on it.”
Archives of previous editions of the International Microbiota Observatory
2025 edition
Discover the results
2024 archive
Discover the results
2023 archive
Discover the resultsA 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.
2026: What parents know about early microbiota development
Discover the resultsSince 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:
Hanna Stolińska-Fiedorowicz, PhD
Poland
Clinical dietician, lecturer, graduated from the Medical University of Warsaw.
She worked at the Institute of Food and Nutrition for 7 years.
Check her Linkedin profile here.
Joël Doré, PhD
France
Research Director at INRA & Scientific Director of the MetaGenoPolis.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
Purna C. Kashyap, M.B.B.S.
USA
Gastroenterologist, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
Jean-Marc Bohbot, MD, PhD
France
Andrologist, infectious disease specialist, Institut Alfred Fournier.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
The International Microbiota Observatory is backed up by a rigorous methodology
This fourth edition was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 individuals across 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, USA, Brazil, Mexico, China and Vietnam), between February 3rd and March 13th, 2026. For each country, the sample is representative of the population aged 18 and over in terms of: gender, age, profession and region.
Representativeness was ensured via quota sampling. The questionnaire covered: microbiota knowledge levels, the level of and desire for information from healthcare professionals, behaviors to combat microbiome imbalances, women's knowledge and behaviors about the vaginal microbiome, parental and pregnant women's knowledge about the first 1,000 days of life, and health data. The survey lasted ten minutes.
"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)
