According to the Ipsos ‘What Worries the World’ global monthly survey, unemployment (42 percent) and coronavirus (42 percent) have emerged as the biggest worries of Urban Indians — both tied at the top spot.

Compared to the previous month, coronavirus has declined by 5 percent in worry levels, unemployment has increased in worry levels by 2 percent.

According to the survey, urban Indians are most worried about unemployment (42 percent), coronavirus (42 percent), financial/ political corruption (28 percent), crime and violence (25 percent), poverty and social inequality (24 percent), and education (21 percent).

Elaborating on the findings, Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India said, “We see an uptick in worry levels for unemployment by 2 percent, while worry levels for Covid-19 have seen a slight dip of 5 percent — but now both are placed neck to neck — Covid impacted the job market considerably due to the shutdown and restrictions — now with the cautious reopening, worry levels around jobs have not abated — demand far outstrips supply — and those who have lost their jobs, many are still struggling to gain a foothold. Covid-19 too is far from over. It is a case of cause and effect.”

The survey showed that global citizens worry about coronavirus (36 percent), unemployment (31 percent), poverty and social inequality (31 percent), financial and political corruption (27 percent), and crime and violence (26 percent).

India is the 2nd most optimistic market with at least 65 percent of urban Indians believing the country is moving in the right direction. Saudi Arabia retains its title as the most optimistic market, with at least 90 percent of citizens believing their country is moving in the right direction.

Global citizens on the contrary continue to remain pessimistic with at least 65 percent believing their country is on the wrong track. The gloomiest markets that felt their country was on the wrong track were Columbia (89 percent), South Africa (85 percent), and Peru (81 percent).

Ipsos’ What Worries the World survey is conducted in 28 countries around the world. It is based on 20,012 interviews conducted between August 20 and September 3, 2021, among adults aged 18-74 in the US, South Africa, Turkey, Israel, and Canada and age 16-74 in all other countries. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.