Global survey across 17 markets highlights the emotional significance of Father’s Day over commercial influences
Mumbai, 13 June 2025: A recent study by YouGov Surveys, spanning 17 international markets, reveals that Father’s Day is primarily celebrated for its heartfelt significance rather than marketing or advertising pressures. The survey, conducted online in May 2025, shows that 64% of respondents worldwide observe Father’s Day, with 43% celebrating because they find it a meaningful occasion.
In contrast, only a small fraction of participants attribute their celebration to external influences: 5% cite social media, 4% point to advertising, and 7% are unsure of their reasons.
The findings highlight generational trends, with younger people being especially driven by emotional connections — 51% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials say they celebrate Father’s Day because it is meaningful.
At the country level, Mexico (61%), Australia (58%), India (54%), and Canada (52%) stand out for valuing the significance of the day the most. Meanwhile, social media influence is most notable in the UAE (14%) and India (12%). Advertising influence remains generally low but is slightly more visible in Mexico (8%), Spain (7%), and the UAE (7%).
On the flip side, a significant proportion of people in certain countries opt not to mark the occasion. 62% of Germans and 56% of Danes report not celebrating Father’s Day, along with notable numbers in France (43%) and Sweden (42%).
Methodology:
YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 17 markets with sample sizes varying between 500 and 2,114 per market. All surveys were conducted online during May 2025. Data from each market uses a nationally representative sample apart from Mexico and India (urban representative samples), and Indonesia and Hong Kong (online representative samples). Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.
