2025 results: The International Microbiota Observatory 3rd edition

1. Microbiota: knowledge on the rise, “good” behavior lagging behind

The 2025 results of the study show a first paradox: knowledge of health issues linked to microbiota is still growing, but the number of people taking action is not increasing, and has remained stable this year. In many cases, the majority of the public is still unaware of what they need to do to keep their microbiota in balance.

How much do people know about the microbiota?

The public is increasingly aware of the existence of different microbiota in the human body. But they still don't understand the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiota for good health.

Do people adopt healthy habits that support their microbiota?

While behaviors commonly accepted as good for health (and good for the microbiota) are more easily acquired, certain habits more specific to maintaining the balance of the microbiota don't yet seem to be in place.

Do people unknowingly adopt habits that disrupt their microbiota?

48% say they wash their bodies several times a day, a practice likely to cause dysbiosis, and 42% of women take vaginal showers, even though this is harmful to their vaginal microbiota.

2. Microbiota basics: is there a generational divide?

Parenthood is a gateway to knowledge about microbiota. On the other hand — and this is a 2nd paradox — senior citizens, despite being the most at-risk population, remain the least well educated.

A link between parenthood and microbiota awareness

The third edition of the Observatory reinforces previous findings: parenthood is indeed a “golden age” for microbiota knowledge. Logically, monitoring a child's overall health exposes parents, more than any other population, to fundamental questions and microbiota-related health issues.

How well do seniors know about the microbiota?

One would think that older populations might be the most informed on microbiota matters, since they tend to have developed more health conditions and see the doctor more often. However, this year's survey data confirms that seniors have even more to benefit from awareness campaigns.

3. Microbiota awareness starts with healthcare professionals

Recognized as trusted partners, healthcare professionals appear to be the most effective drivers of behavior change.

When it comes to which type ² of healthcare professional is giving explanations on the microbiota to patients, some stand out:

• The family physician was cited by 51% of people as having shared information on the microbiota
• 1 in 3 of respondents said they received explanations (probably about the gut) from their gastroenterologist
• 18% people mentioned the gynecologist (in this case, likely due to the vaginal microbiota)
• Even pharmacists and nurses appeared on the survey, with about 15% each.

^{² The results are multiple choice, which means the same person could have received explanations from the family physician and a pharmacist}

Beyond the local medical sphere

In some countries, the survey highlights the emergence of other levers for learning about the microbiota.

4. A strong interest in microbiome testing, particularly gut analysis

There has been a growing interest in gut health, accompanied by legitimate scientific advances in microbiota research. The third edition of the survey confirms it: people are willing to undergo microbiota testing. Healthcare professionals may also request such tests for certain patients.

What populations are most aware of microbiome testing?

The 2025 survey revealed that microbiome testing awareness varies greatly by demographic and region. Young parents show the highest familiarity, with 40% having heard of it, compared to just 18% of seniors. Regionally, awareness is much higher in Asia, where 58% of respondents are familiar with microbiome testing, while Europe lags behind at only 18%.

Why would people give away their microbiota stool?

• 6 out of 10 surveyed people would test their microbiota to conduct a general health checkup (60%). On the other hand, 23% would do it out of curiosity.
   
• Only 2 out of 10 surveyed people would test their microbiota to help balance their microbiota (53%), or to prevent or slow down pathologies (51%).
   
• 3 out of 10 surveyed people would test their microbiota to help microbiota science to progress (31%).

5. Antibiotics' negative impacts on microbiota could be better explained

Although healthcare professionals are increasingly discussing the microbiota, the survey shows that many people remain unaware of how antibiotics can disrupt its balance.

Only a quarter of people have received key information about the microbiome after being prescribed antibiotics, despite the impact antibiotics have on it. When it comes to the protective role of probiotics and prebiotics, about 1 in 2 people know exactly what probiotics are — but only 1 in 3 can say the same for prebiotics.

What’s more, it remains rare for patients to be prescribed both antibiotics and probiotics — a sign of a significant gap in prevention and health education.

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:

Methodology (TO UPDATE)

The survey was conducted over the Internet between January 21 and February 28, 2025. 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 average age was 47.3 years. 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

Changes from one year to the next have been measured on a like-for-like basis, i.e. calculated taking into account only those countries present in both the first and second editions of the survey. While we do have results for the new countries included in this third edition (Germany and Italy), they have not been taken into account when calculating trends, since they were not included in the first two editions of the survey. 

The questionnaire includes 16 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 identification and adoption of behaviors designed to combat microbiome imbalances
5. the level of knowledge, information, and behaviors of women about the vulvo-vaginal microbiome
6. 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.

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