A Stable Job Remains the Cornerstone of Success for Indians
A stable full-time job remains at the heart of how Indians define success. According to the latest findings from the Ipsos Life Aspirations 2026 study, four in ten Indians (40%) consider having a stable job an important sign of a successful life, ahead of milestones such as owning a home (38%), moving into one's own home (37%), getting married (33%), becoming a parent (31%) and owning a pet (23%). The findings suggest that while Indians aspire to a range of personal and family goals, stable employment remains the foundation that enables many of these aspirations.
A stable full-time job continues to occupy a central place in how Indians define success. Beyond providing income, it represents security, confidence and the ability to plan for the future. The findings suggest that employment remains the foundation upon which many other milestones are built, from establishing an independent household to achieving long-term financial stability.
Homeownership remains another powerful symbol of achievement. Alongside owning a home, milestones such as marriage and parenthood continue to hold significant importance, underscoring the enduring role of family and stability in Indian aspirations. These are not viewed as isolated achievements but as part of a broader journey towards building a secure and fulfilling life.
At the same time, India's aspirations are evolving. Nearly one in four Indians (23%) say owning a pet is an important sign of a successful life, making India the third-highest ranked country globally after Poland (26%) and Thailand (24%), and well above the global average of 16%. The finding points to a growing emphasis on companionship, wellbeing and quality of life, particularly among urban consumers.
Has Happened
A significant number of Indians claimed to have already achieved these life goals – have a stable, full time job (41%), got married (46%), become the parent of a child (42%), owned my own home – outright or mortgage/ loan (41%), moved into my own home – rented or owned (40%) and own a pet as an adult (33%).
Has not happened
On the other hand, among those who have not yet reached these milestones, fewer than half believe they are likely to do so in the future. Only 48% of those who do not yet have a stable job expect to secure one during their lifetime, while 47% expect to own a home. Expectations are similarly modest for marriage (48%), parenthood (49%) and pet ownership (46%).
The study also highlights the emotional weight attached to these ambitions. For many Indians who have not yet achieved these milestones, the prospect of never securing a stable job, owning a home, getting married or becoming a parent would be a source of genuine sadness. The findings underscore that these aspirations extend well beyond practical goals and remain deeply connected to people's sense of achievement, fulfilment and future security.
"The findings reinforce that Indians continue to define success through a combination of economic stability and personal fulfilment. A stable job remains the gateway to many of life's most important milestones, whether that is owning a home, starting a family or achieving greater independence. What is particularly striking is the emotional significance attached to these aspirations and the uncertainty many feel about whether they will be able to realise them. Even as India remains deeply aspirational, the study reminds us that success is not only about achievement, but also about the hopes, expectations and emotions tied to these life goals," said Suresh Ramalingam, CEO, Ipsos India.
Ultimately, the study portrays an India that remains deeply aspirational. Success is still rooted in securing a stable livelihood and building a secure future, but it is equally shaped by aspirations for home, family, companionship and belonging. Even when confidence in achieving these goals is uncertain, their importance remains undiminished.
Methodology
These are the results of a 30-country survey conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online platform and, in India, on its IndiaBus platform between February 20 and March 6, 2026. Ipsos interviewed a total of 22,693 adults across 30 countries. In India, approximately 2,200 adults were interviewed, of whom approximately 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed online. The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States, and 500 individuals each in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and Türkiye. India’s sample represents a large subset of its urban population across socio-economic classes A, B and C in metros and Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns across all four zones.
The data is weighted so that the composition of each country's sample best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data. The Global Country Average reflects the average result across all countries surveyed and has not been adjusted to population size. Percentages may not always total 100% due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of "don't know" responses.
The precision of Ipsos online polls is calculated using a credibility interval, with a poll of 1,000 respondents accurate to approximately ±3.5 percentage points and a poll of 500 respondents accurate to approximately ±5.0 percentage points.
