India's Optimism Climbs 7% Amid Stable Governance and Economic Easing
According to the latest What Worries the World survey by Ipsos, optimism in India has surged by 7 percentage points in a single month, driven by stable governance, policy continuity, and easing pressure from key economic indicators. The survey reveals that about 69% of Indians now believe the country is headed in the right direction, positioning India second globally alongside Malaysia and behind Singapore, where confidence reached 82%.
Global Confidence Remains Subdued Despite Uptick
In contrast to India's robust optimism, global confidence stayed subdued, with only 41% of respondents worldwide saying their countries were on the right track, despite a 3% month-on-month uptick. France ranked last in the survey, with a mere 9% expressing optimism, highlighting the stark differences in public sentiment across the 30 surveyed markets.
Foundations of India's Economic Strength and Citizen-Centric Policies
Suresh Ramalingam, CEO of Ipsos India, emphasized that India's position as the world's fourth-largest economy is built on a foundation of stable governance and long-term vision. He noted, "Citizens are at the center of policy, with levers such as targeted economic growth, healthcare initiatives, free rations for vulnerable communities, and investments in infrastructure. The focus on sustainable mobility, solar energy, and measures to keep inflation in check reflects a commitment to both progress and quality of life."
This combination of stability, inclusivity, and forward-looking strategy not only strengthens confidence today but also lays the groundwork for India's resilient growth tomorrow, according to Ramalingam.
Steady Worries and Calmer Public Mood in India
The survey showed that Indian worries remained largely steady in January, with education concerns rising slightly. However, anxieties around key issues such as:
- Inflation
- Unemployment
- Terrorism
- Financial and political corruption
barely moved, pointing to a calmer public mood overall. Ramalingam added, "Revisions to the US–India trade deal are expected to ease concerns around education by improving access, collaboration, and opportunities. While food inflation has moderated, the cost of living continues to be the top concern for Indians."
Global Worries and Cautious Hope for Peace Efforts
Globally, ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, along with law and order challenges in several major cities, have made crime and violence the leading worry worldwide. Ramalingam noted that continued peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine offer cautious hope of some relief in the months ahead, underscoring the interconnected nature of global anxieties.
Survey Methodology and Sample Details
Ipsos conducted the 29-country Global Advisor survey between December 24, 2025, and January 9, 2026, via its online panel. The survey covered adults aged:
- 18–74 in Canada, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the US
- 20–74 in Indonesia and Thailand
- 21–74 in Singapore
- 16–74 elsewhere
The Global Country Average is an unweighted mean of all markets, based on samples of around 1,000 respondents each in countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the US, and around 500 each in nations including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye.
Samples in advanced economies broadly represent adults under 75, while those in emerging markets like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Türkiye skew urban, educated, and affluent, reflecting more connected populations.
In India, the sample covers urban socio-economic classes A, B, and C across metros and tier 1–3 towns nationwide, weighted to census demographics. The survey has credibility intervals of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for samples of 1,000 and plus or minus 5 percentage points for samples of 500, with minor variation from rounding or exclusions.
