Urban Indians upbeat on country, economy: Ipsos What Worries the World
The Ipsos What Worries the World report for May 2026 shows a majority of urban Indians upbeat about both the country’s direction (73%) and the economy (78%).
That confidence places India among the most upbeat markets globally, alongside Singapore at 81%, Malaysia at 70% and Hungary at 62%. Together, they form a small but significant cluster of economies where the mood about the future seems unshakeable and resilient.
The contrast with the broader global picture is stark. Across 30 markets, only 39% of people believe their country is headed in the right direction, while just 37% feel positive about their economies. In much of the world, pessimism has become the default.
Nowhere is that gloom more evident than in France, which sits at the bottom of the rankings. There, 88% of respondents say the country is on the wrong track, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction in parts of the developed world.
“The findings point to a sustained confidence among urban Indians in both governance frameworks and economic direction. This reflects not only institutional stability, but also the resilience and adaptability of citizens in navigating a complex global environment. “The findings suggest that while citizens remain cautious, there is a degree of trust in the steps being taken to protect their interests,” stated Suresh Ramalingam, CEO, Ipsos India.
Top concerns nations are grappling with
In India, concerns centre on unemployment, financial and political corruption, crime and violence, education, and persistent poverty and social inequality, with job insecurity shaped in part by broader geopolitical shifts and their impact on employment.
Globally, inflation dominates public anxiety, followed by crime and violence, unemployment, poverty and social inequality, and financial and political corruption.
This suggests that while India’s worries are closely tied to employment pressures and spillovers from global disruptions, global concerns are being driven more directly by rising prices and cost-of-living stress.
“The findings show that public concern in India is closely aligned with lived experience, especially around jobs, corruption and financial pressures. These are local challenges, but perceptions are clearly influenced by shifts in the global environment,” added Ramalingam.
