India Stands Apart in a World Marked by Caution: Ipsos What Worries the World September 2026 Report
While global sentiment remains subdued, India continues to chart a notably different course. The latest Ipsos What Worries the World survey finds that just 38% of citizens globally believe their country is heading in the right direction and that the economy is performing well. In contrast, India remains one of the world's most optimistic nations, with seven in ten Indians expressing confidence in the country's direction and nearly eight in ten (79%) rating the current state of the economy positively.
Direction of Travel: India's Confidence Dividend
India ranks second among 30 markets surveyed, behind only Singapore, with at least 70% of citizens believing the country is moving in the right direction. This stands in sharp contrast to a global landscape where concerns about geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty and persistent inflationary pressures continue to weigh heavily on public sentiment.
Commenting on the findings, Suresh Ramalingam, CEO, Ipsos India, said: "At a time when many economies are grappling with the fallout of geopolitical conflicts, slower growth and heightened uncertainty, India continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals, political stability, a large and consumption-driven domestic market, and a deliberate diversification of energy sources have helped bolster public confidence. India's ability to balance economic pragmatism with global engagement has further strengthened its position. As the festive season gathers momentum, rising consumer spending is likely to provide an additional boost to economic activity, reinforcing the optimism that Indians continue to express about the country's future."
India's confidence is underpinned not only by economic stability but also by structural strengths. A favourable demographic profile, expanding consumer demand, and sustained investments in energy diversification, spanning renewables, ethanol blending, biofuels and electrification, have helped enhance the country's resilience amid global headwinds.
What Worries Indians and the World
Despite this optimism, concerns remain. The survey highlights that citizens across markets continue to face a range of social and economic challenges that require policy attention.
For Indians, unemployment remains the foremost concern, reflecting persistent anxieties around job creation and livelihood opportunities despite strong economic growth. Globally, however, crime and violence emerge as the leading concern, underscoring the social and security challenges confronting many nations today.
The findings suggest that while economic confidence and national outlook remain strong in India, addressing employment concerns will be critical to sustaining this optimism. Globally, governments face a more complex challenge of balancing economic recovery with public safety, social cohesion and geopolitical uncertainty.
"While India's strong optimism reflects confidence in the country's economic trajectory, the continued prominence of unemployment as a concern underscores the importance of ensuring that growth translates into broad-based job creation and opportunities for all," added Ramalingam.
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