Urban Indians are largely optimistic about the country's direction, with a recent report highlighting low levels of worry regarding key issues such as inflation, unemployment, and terrorism.

Optimism and Confidence

A significant proportion of urban Indians, nearly two in three (64%), express confidence that the country is moving in the right direction. This places India among the top four most optimistic nations globally, trailing only Singapore (81%), Indonesia (70%), and Malaysia (67%). This level of optimism is particularly noteworthy considering that globally, a majority of citizens (63%) believe their country is on the wrong track. This positive sentiment reflects a strong faith in the Indian system. The handling of events by the government and armed forces has further reinforced this confidence.

Easing Concerns

Despite global anxieties over issues like crime, violence, inflation, poverty, and social inequality, concerns among urban Indians regarding inflation, unemployment, and terrorism have shown a decline. While these issues remain relevant, the decrease in worry suggests a growing sense of stability and resilience within the country.

Specific Concerns

• Inflation and Unemployment: While still significant concerns, worry levels surrounding inflation (37%) and unemployment (33%) have stabilized.
• Terrorism: Following events such as the Pahalgam terror attack, terrorism has emerged as a prominent concern, with a notable increase in worry levels. In May 2025, 26% of those surveyed expressed worry about terrorism.
• Other Issues: The survey also shed light on education as one of the top three worries of the citizens.

Factors Contributing to Optimism

Several factors contribute to the optimistic outlook in urban India:

• Economic Measures: The Reserve Bank of India's macroeconomic measures, including interest rate reductions, have played a role in supporting growth and stability.
• Government Policies: The government's close monitoring of fuel prices and inflation, along with efficient resource sourcing, has helped cushion the impact on citizens.
• Domestic Focus: India's strong domestic consumption and economy, coupled with a favorable demographic dividend, contribute to economic growth and optimism.
• Global Positioning: India's geographical distance from global conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza provides a relative advantage.

It is important to note that these findings represent the sentiment of urban Indians, specifically those in socioeconomic classes A, B, and C in metros and tier 1-3 towns across all four zones. The data is weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population based on the most recent census data.