Unemployment, Corruption, Climate Top Worries Among Urban Indians: Report

Urban Indians are most worried about unemployment (39 per cent), financial and political corruption (27 per cent), crime and violence (25 per cent), poverty, social inequality (22 per cent) and climate change (22 per cent) in the month of October, revealed Ipsos What Worries the World survey.

At least 2 in 10 urban Indians were worried about inflation (21 per cent), and India was placed last among 29 markets in its worry around inflation. 

Ipsos What Worries the World survey that tracks public opinion on the most important social and political issues across 29 countries today, drawing on over ten years of data to place the latest scores in context, Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos in India said, “India is still reeling under the collateral impact of the prolonged coronavirus and global slowdown of the economy due to the war in Ukraine, which are impacting jobs, leading to rising in corruption, crime and social inequality. Even the inflation impact is manifesting itself though India is better placed than its global counterparts due to the government’s steps to keep the fuel prices in check. Floods and adverse climate impacts are making urban Indians worry about climate change. These issues need to be addressed by the govt first.”

Globally, the top worries of citizens included inflation (42 per cent) poverty and social inequality (32 per cent), unemployment (27 per cent), crime and violence (26 per cent) and financial and political corruption (26 per cent).

“India has pipped Indonesia to emerge the 2nd most positive market, with the majority of urban Indians believing India is on the right track, showing overall the mood is quite optimistic unlike that of global citizens. Diwali, the festival of lights, would have further boosted the optimism," added Adarkar.

The survey also captures optimism and pessimism level of citizens vis-à-vis their countries.

India overtakes Indonesia to emerge 2nd most positive market; majority of global citizens feel negative about their market

The survey further shows India has displaced Indonesia from the 2nd spot to emerge the 2nd most positive country with 76 per cent urban Indians believing their country is moving in the right direction. Saudi Arabia held on to its pole position to remain the world’s most positive market with 93 per cent of its citizens believing their country is on the right track.