Unemployment emerges India’s biggest worry, pushes COVID19 to 2nd spot in February, after it stayed on top for 1 year
According to the February wave of the Ipsos What Worries the World global survey, Unemployment has emerged as the biggest worry of urban Indians in February, displacing Coronavirus from the top place, which it occupied for 1 full year. For global citizens however, Coronavirus continues to be the topmost worry.
What worries Indians most in February? In the pecking order, unemployment (43%) sits at the top; followed by coronavirus (34%); financial and political corruption (30%); crime and violence (28%) and poverty and social inequality (26%). Interestingly, COVID19 has fallen by 11 percentage points in February from Jan 2021.
Global citizens too are worried with the same set of 5 top issues, except coronavirus continues to be their biggest worry and of course their order for other worries too differ: coronavirus (50%), unemployment (37%); poverty and social inequality (30%); financial and political corruption (27%) and crime and violence (24%).
“Corona Vaccines and vaccination drives have largely mitigated worry levels around COVID19. Unemployment now occupies pole position as the biggest worry of urban Indians. The pandemic and the lockdown led to massive job losses and of course job creation too has not seen much traction as the economy is in the recovery mode. The new infrastructure initiatives of the govt though high on promise, are long drawn. In the short term, govt and India Inc will need to address this glaring issue, by focusing on job creation. Though hiring has started with the unlock and easing of restrictions and the re-opening,” said Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India.
India 2nd most optimistic market
India is placed 2nd in the pecking order in optimism with 68% urban Indians optimistic that India is moving in the right direction. Saudi Arabia continues to be the most optimistic market with at least 87% of those polled confident, their country is moving in the right direction. Global citizens on the contrary are pessimistic, with 67% believing their country is on the wrong track.
“India is a highly resilient market. And optimism is something every Indian across demographics counts on, to tide over tough times. Even when everything is not hunky dory, Indians do not lose hope,” added Adarkar.
