A global Ipsos survey, “What Worries the World,” finds Indians most concerned about inflation, unemployment, education, crime and violence, and financial and political corruption, even as India ranks among the top five countries whose citizens are more likely to say their nation is heading in the right direction.
Ipsos, which operates in 90 markets, conducted the study across 29 countries. The report says the epicentre of global optimism is concentrated in Southeast Asia and India — with relatively positive sentiment in Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Korea and Thailand. By contrast, citizens in 25 countries say their nations are on the “wrong track,” with France and Peru reporting the lowest optimism levels at 9% and 13%, respectively.
Suresh Ramalingam, CEO of Ipsos India, said inflation, unemployment, education, crime and corruption remain key concerns for Indians, shaped by both domestic challenges and global disruptions. The report notes 2026 has seen significant disruption, including a new conflict in West Asia. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified energy and supply-chain pressures, adding to inflationary worries and perceptions of instability.
India’s relative optimism reflects confidence in its resilience, the report says, helped by a neutral geopolitical stance and proactive measures to reduce the impact of the global fuel crisis. Authorities are diversifying oil import sources to mitigate supply risks and strengthen energy security. The survey was fielded between late February and early March, before further escalation observed in mid-March.
Ipsos cautions that India’s sample skews more urban, educated and affluent than the general population, representing a large subset of urban adults across socioeconomic classes A, B and C in metros and tier 1–3 towns across four zones. Weighting was applied to better reflect the adult population per the most recent census data.
