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PODCAST · news

World Questions

by BBC World Service

The public's questions about issues affecting their country, recorded in a different global location each month

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed May 9, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. World Questions: Sweden

    MPs from Sweden’s four main political parties take part in a debate - taking questions from a lively and diverse audience in Stockholm. Issues raised include the tightening of immigration and citizenship rules, the privatisation of education, the threat from Russia and a return to military...

  2. Sweden

    MPs from Sweden’s four main political parties take part in a debate with questions from a lively and diverse audience in Stockholm. Issues raised include the tightening of immigration and citizenship rules, the privatisation of education, the threat from Russia and a return to military...

  3. World Questions: Nepal

    Gen Z protestors were shot dead in the street, Nepal’s state buildings were razed to the ground, and the government collapsed last autumn. Now, after an historic election, the country is taking a step into the unknown with a new government. It is led by a rapper-turned-politician and it’s pledged...

  4. Nepal

    Gen Z protestors were shot dead in the street, Nepal’s state buildings were razed to the ground, and the government collapsed last autumn. Now, after an historic election, the country is taking a step into the unknown with a new government. It is led by a rapper-turned-politician and it’s pledged...

  5. World Questions: Guyana

    Although its population is small, it's the world’s fastest growing economy – thanks to the discovery of vast amounts of offshore oil and gas. But how will Guyana’s newly found wealth be distributed – and who will feel its benefits? Jonny Dymond and a panel of political leaders and businesspeople...

  6. Guyana

    Although its population is small, it's the world’s fastest growing economy – thanks to the discovery of vast amounts of offshore oil and gas. But how will Guyana’s newly found wealth be distributed – and who will feel its benefits? Jonny Dymond and a panel of political leaders and businesspeople...

  7. World Questions: New Zealand

    High rents, rising food costs and a perceived lack of opportunities are driving young people out of New Zealand. Last year, more people left than ever before. What can be done to improve living conditions and stop the loss of young talent? The current government has opened the question of Māori...

  8. New Zealand

    High rents, rising food costs and a perceived lack of opportunities are driving young people out of New Zealand. Last year, more people left than ever before. What can be done to improve living conditions and stop the loss of young talent? The current government has opened the question of Māori...

  9. World Questions: Hungary

    Jonny Dymond chairs a debate with leading Hungarian politicians and academics who take questions from the public across Hungary. With elections due in April, can the right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power for 15 years, hold off his main political challenger? The...

  10. Hungary

    Jonny Dymond chairs a debate with leading Hungarian politicians and academics who take questions from the public across Hungary. With elections due in April, can the right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power for 15 years, hold off his main political challenger? The...

  11. World Questions: Kenya

    Gen Z have taken to the streets of Nairobi with mass protests that rocked the Kenyan government in recent years and led to multiple deaths. Kenya is a young country where 67% of its youth is unemployed, some of them feel that the new generation is not being listened to. Jonny Dymond chairs a…

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  12. Kenya

    Gen Z have taken to the streets of Nairobi with mass protests that rocked the Kenyan government in recent years and led to multiple deaths. Kenya is a young country where 67% of its youth is unemployed, some of them feel that the new generation is not being listened to. Jonny Dymond chairs a…

    more
  13. World Questions: Greenland

    Independence from Denmark, the costs of mining for rare earth minerals and Inuit people’s rights – some of the challenges facing the autonomous territory of Greenland. A former Danish colony, Greenland is the world’s largest island with a population of just 57,000 people. Jonny Dymond chairs a...

  14. Greenland

    President Trump is considering a variety of options – including military ones – to take control of Greenland. But what do Greenlanders think? Is Greenland up for sale? In this programme, politicians and the public debate independence, sovereignty, mining of rare earth minerals and Inuit human...

  15. World Questions: Peru

    This South American country has escaped from poverty and paramilitary violence that once threatened the state itself; huge reserves of natural resources have helped boost the economy. But political instability and high crime threaten those hard-won gains, sparking mass protests across the…

    more
  16. Peru

    This South American country has escaped from poverty and paramilitary violence that once threatened the state itself; huge reserves of natural resources have helped boost the economy. But political instability and high crime threaten those hard-won gains, sparking mass protests across the…

    more
  17. World Questions: Greece

    Fixing Greece’s declining population is now the Government’s top priority, so how should it solve the crisis? Is the country at risk of being ruined by tourism? And could migrants from abroad help boost the Greek economy? Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading politicians and analysts…

    more
  18. Greece

    Fixing Greece’s declining population is now the Government’s top priority, so how should it solve the crisis? Is the country at risk of being ruined by tourism? And could migrants from abroad help boost the Greek economy? Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading politicians and analysts…

    more
  19. World Questions: Serbia

    Is there a lack of democracy in Serbia? Can the current student-led protests topple the Government? Will this Balkan country ever join the European Union? Allan Little chairs a panel of leading Serbian politicians and analysts who face tough questions from across the nation. The panel: Marko...

  20. Serbia

    Is there a lack of democracy in Serbia? Can the current student-led protests topple the Government? Will this Balkan country ever join the European Union? Allan Little chairs a panel of leading Serbian politicians and analysts who face tough questions from across the nation. The panel: Marko...

  21. World Questions: Malaysia

    Should there be affirmative action to get more women to the top of the media? How about a law to make politicians keep their promises? Jonny Dymond chairs a diverse panel fielding questions from a passionate audience in Kuala Lumpur, as they critique their own laws on freedom of speech. The…

    more
  22. Malaysia

    Should there be affirmative action to get more women to the top of the media? How about a law to make politicians keep their promises? Jonny Dymond chairs a diverse panel fielding questions from a passionate audience in Kuala Lumpur, as they critique their own laws on freedom of speech. The…

    more
  23. World Questions: Canada

    Sky-high tariffs, a federal election and US threats to annex their country: Canadians have a lot of issues to address. Jonny Dymond hosts a debate with leading politicians and people putting questions from across six time zones. Should Canada have an independent nuclear deterrent? Can it join the...

  24. Canada

    Sky-high tariffs, a federal election and US threats to annex their country: Canadians have a lot of issues to address. Jonny Dymond hosts a debate with leading politicians and people putting questions from across six time zones. Should Canada have an independent nuclear deterrent? Can it join the...

  25. World Questions: India

    India is the world’s most populous nation, it has a young population and dynamic growth rates – yet problems persist. This debate, from the country’s technology capital, Bengaluru, tackles pressing issues such as IT workers’ rights, the city’s struggling infrastructure, and the national situation...

  26. India

    India is the world’s most populous nation, it has a young population and dynamic growth rates – yet problems persist. This debate, from the country’s technology capital, Bengaluru, tackles pressing issues such as IT workers’ rights, the city’s struggling infrastructure, and the national situation...

  27. Word Questions: Lithuania

    It is the NATO frontline, but three years after the invasion of Ukraine, Lithuanians worry their country could be next. Defence spending is rising fast, NATO has committed a permanent brigade and Lithuanians are organising themselves into rifle clubs and citizen defence forces. The rights of...

  28. Lithuania

    It is the NATO frontline, but three years after the invasion of Ukraine, Lithuanians worry their country could be next. Defence spending is rising fast, NATO has committed a permanent brigade and Lithuanians are organising themselves into rifle clubs and citizen defence forces. The rights of...

  29. World Questions: Australia

    Soaring house prices, the rights of indigenous people, healthcare and knife crime – just some of the issues raised in this debate about the future of Australia. Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading politicians and commentators who take questions from across this vast nation. The panel…

    more
  30. Australia

    Soaring house prices, the rights of indigenous people, healthcare and knife crime – just some of the issues raised in this debate about the future of Australia. Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading politicians and commentators who take questions from across this vast nation. The panel…

    more
  31. World Questions: South Africa

    Gangsterism, immigration, economic inequality, land reform and whether the historic prison of Robben Island could be turned into a luxury resort: World Questions is in Cape Town to debate issues raised by South Africans thirty years after democracy came to their nation. Crime is rampant, six out…

    more
  32. South Africa

    Gangsterism, immigration, economic inequality, land reform and whether the historic prison of Robben Island could be turned into a luxury resort: World Questions is in Cape Town to debate issues raised by South Africans thirty years after democracy came to their nation. Crime is rampant, six out…

    more
  33. World Questions: France

    Democracy, the deepening polarisation of politics, race relations and President Macron’s grip on power – all are up for debate as Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading French politicians who take questions from the public. The panel: Eléonore Caroit: National Assembly Deputy, Renaissance...

  34. France

    Democracy, the deepening polarisation of politics, race relations and President Macron’s grip on power – all are up for debate as Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of leading French politicians who take questions from the public. The panel: Eléonore Caroit: National Assembly Deputy, Renaissance...

  35. World Questions: Mexico

    Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female President takes office while protests still rage over changes to the constitution. World Questions explores the challenges she faces with a sharply divided panel facing questions from around the country. Does scrapping the national police force and putting...

  36. Mexico

    Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female President takes office while protests still rage over changes to the constitution. World Questions explores the challenges she faces with a sharply divided panel facing questions from around the country. Does scrapping the national police force and putting...

  37. Bonus: Question Time US election special

    With less than a month until the election, the BBC’s flagship political debate programme Question Time broadcasts from the key swing state of Pennsylvania. The programme hears directly from American voters as they get the chance to put their questions to a panel of politicians and prominent...

  38. Question Time US Election Special

    With less than a month until the election, the BBC’s flagship political debate programme Question Time broadcasts from the key swing state of Pennsylvania. The programme hears directly from American voters as they get the chance to put their questions to a panel of politicians and prominent...

  39. World Questions: Albania

    Mass migration, employment and opportunities, democracy, joining the EU and widespread corruption. Just some of the issues debated by a public audience in the Albanian capital, Tirana. Jonny Dymond chairs the discussion with a panel of leading politicians and civil society activists. The panel:...

  40. Albania

    Mass migration, employment and opportunities, democracy, joining the EU and widespread corruption. Just some of the issues debated by a public audience in the Albanian capital, Tirana. Jonny Dymond chairs the discussion with a panel of leading politicians and civil society activists. The panel:...

  41. Mongolia

    Mongolia’s economy has tripled in size since becoming a democracy 30 years ago and the sudden growth has brought many challenges. It's a nation of sweeping grassland pastures and an ever-growing Gobi desert, sealed between Russia to its north and China to its south. Such large autocratic…

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  42. World Questions: Michigan, USA

    Anu Anand presents a lively debate over the lack of affordable healthcare, access to clean water, racial disparities, the war in Gaza and the upcoming Presidential election in the swing state of Michigan, USA. The panel: Sarah Anthony – Democrat State Senator John Damoose – Republican State…

    more
  43. Michigan, USA

    Anu Anand presents a lively debate over the lack of affordable healthcare, access to clean water, racial disparities, the war in Gaza and the upcoming Presidential election in the swing state of Michigan, USA. The panel: Sarah Anthony: Democrat State Senator John Damoose: Republican State Senator...

  44. World Questions: Spain

    Could a new amnesty law on Catalan independence threaten Spain's unity? The nation is also facing complaints about corruption, a critical water shortage and a growing inequality between the old and the young. Jonny Dymond asks Spanish people how they see the future of their country. On the panel:...

  45. Spain

    Is Spain’s unity under threat? Could a new amnesty law on Catalan independence pave the way for regions to breakaway from the kingdom? Spain is also facing complaints about corruption, a critical water shortage and a growing inequality between the old and the young. Jonny Dymond asks Spanish…

    more
  46. World Questions: Jordan

    Gaza, the West Bank and women's rights in Jordan. As war continues in neighbouring Israel, members of the public from around the Kingdom of Jordan raise questions for political leaders and key figures to debate. Jonny Dymond presents. The panel: Senator Alia Hatoug Bouran: Former Ambassador to…

    more
  47. Jordan

    Gaza, The West Bank and women's rights in Jordan. As war continues in neighbouring Israel, members of the public from around the Kingdom of Jordan raise questions for political leaders and key figures to debate. Jonny Dymond presents. The panel: Senator Alia Hatoug Bouran: Former Ambassador to…

    more
  48. World Questions: the Philippines

    Jonny Dymond presents a debate from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. A large and lively audience ask questions about Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, constitutional reform, divorce laws, poverty, transport and the record of their President, "Bong Bong" Marcos Jnr Panel - Justice...

  49. Philippines

    Jonny Dymond presents a debate from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. A large and lively audience ask questions about Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, constitutional reform, divorce laws, poverty, transport and the record of their President, "Bong Bong" Marcos Jnr. The Panel:...

  50. World Questions: Poland

    After a bitter election, a new government takes power in Poland promising to de-politicise the state. But after courts are ignored, key people are sacked and opposition politicians are arrested in the Presidential Palace, is democracy being restored or undermined? Jonny Dymond chairs a panel of...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The public's questions about issues affecting their country, recorded in a different global location each month

HOSTED BY

BBC World Service

Produced by BBC

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does World Questions have?

World Questions currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is World Questions about?

The public's questions about issues affecting their country, recorded in a different global location each month

How often does World Questions release new episodes?

World Questions has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to World Questions on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts World Questions?

World Questions is created and hosted by BBC World Service.
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