A recent survey reveals that 70 percent of urban Indians believe their country is on the right track, positioning India as the second most optimistic nation globally, just behind Singapore, where 86 percent of people share this positive outlook. Indonesia ranks third in optimism, with 69 percent of its population expressing confidence in their country’s future. The Ipsos Global Advisor’s July edition of the “What Worries the World” survey highlights a general global pessimism, with only 38 percent of respondents worldwide feeling their country is moving in a positive direction. The countries with the least optimism include Peru (10 percent), France (20 percent), Israel (21 percent), and Japan (22 percent).
Despite the generally positive outlook in India, concerns persist among its citizens regarding unemployment (39 percent), inflation (38 percent), education (24 percent), financial and political corruption (22 percent), and crime and violence (21 percent). Nevertheless, a significant 83 percent of Indians view the state of their country’s economy favorably. In contrast, the global survey reveals widespread anxiety about inflation (33 percent), crime and violence (30 percent), poverty and social inequality (29 percent), unemployment (28 percent), and financial and political corruption (26 percent). Confidence in economic conditions is notably low, with only 37 percent of people globally expressing a positive view.
Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India, commented on the findings, noting that India’s high optimism can be attributed to the new government’s efforts. “The government’s concentration on focusing on key concerns such as unemployment, inflation, and education, including initiatives for skill development and price control measures, has contributed to the country’s optimistic outlook. The emphasis on creating new professional institutes and improving education is expected to further enhance job readiness among the youth. Overall, confidence in India’s domestic economy remains robust compared to global standards.” Ipsos’ “What Worries the World” survey assesses public sentiment on major social and political issues across 29 countries, drawing from over a decade of data to provide a contextual analysis of current trends and concerns.
