Global south countries most buoyant; Peru, South Korea and Japan emerge most pessimistic markets Inflation stays top global and local worry.
Mumbai: The April wave of the Ipsos What Worries the World survey shows India retaining its 4th rank in optimism, like the last wave, with 6 in 10 citizens (62%) hopeful of a great future The most buoyant markets were of global south, including India. While more number of global citizens and citizens of Peru, South Korea and France were pessimistic about the future.
The markets of global south occupying top ranks were dominated by the APEC markets of Singapore (85%), Malaysia (70%), Indonesia (67%), India (62%) and Thailand (55%). Followed by Argentina (55%)
Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India shed light on the findings. “We have the global advantage of being geographically away from both Ukraine and Gaza, the epicentres of wars. India and the other global south markets have largely been driven by domestic consumption and domestic economy. And India also has the demographic dividend, leading to economic growth.This survey was conducted before the Trump tarriffs were announced (with a 90 day pause to reciprocal tariff) and before the Pahalgam terror strike took place. These events have heightened anxiety and fear among citizens which have not been captured in the current wave. India being a strong economy and a resilient market, it will continue to stay on grid. But the unrest at the borders and the looming reciprocal tariffs by the Trump govt could lead to a strong impact on India’s fortunes.”
Inflation remains the top global and local issue
“Ipsos’ What Worries the World survey tracks public opinion on the most important social and political issues across 29 countries today. And inflation continues to impact both global and local citizens with high cost of living, as a consequence of global economic slowdown, wars
in Gaza and Ukraine and now with tough measures by the Trump regime on the anvil, in terms of job cuts and reciprocal tariffs, we are bracing for tougher times ahead. With the terror strike in Pahalgam and India’s tough call, the citizens are likely to bear the brunt of these new developments, with increase in prices of essential commodities and slowdown in inbound travel of foreign tourists, impacting the economy,” added Adarkar.
Top worries of Indians
And top worries of global citizens
“Govts should focus on their local worries to provide reprieve to citizens, as these concerns weigh heavily on them,” stated Adarkar.