A survey report by a global entity has found that the “top concerns” of Indian citizens include inflation, unemployment, education, crime and violence, and financial and political corruption. However, India has emerged among the top five countries—incidentally all in Asia—whose citizens are ‘more likely to believe’ that their nation is heading in the right direction.The survey captures perceptions of Indian citizens on key national issues that directly impact their daily lives, said the report by Ipsos, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets.The Ipsos Global Advisor report, ‘What Worries the World’, released on Monday, highlights how the epicentre of global optimism is concentrated in Southeast Asia and India. Across five key markets—Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Thailand—the sentiment remains relatively positive. The survey, conducted across 29 countries, found that citizens in 25 countries feel their nations are on the “wrong track.” France and Peru recorded the lowest levels of optimism, at 9% and 13%, respectively.On India’s top concerns, Suresh Ramalingam, CEO of Ipsos India, said, “Inflation, unemployment, education, crime and violence, and corruption remain key concerns for Indians, shaped not just by domestic challenges but also by global disruptions.”Ongoing conflicts in West Asia and related energy and supply chain uncertainties are adding to inflationary pressures and influencing perceptions of instability, including concerns around violence. Despite this, India’s relative optimism reflects confidence in its resilience, although prolonged geopolitical tensions could test this momentum, Ramalingam added.The report notes that 2026 has been marked by significant disruption, including the outbreak of a new conflict in West Asia. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a critical flashpoint, exacerbating challenges for global economies.India’s neutral geopolitical stance, coupled with proactive efforts to mitigate the impact of the global fuel crisis, has contributed to its relative resilience. Although the survey was conducted between late February and early March—prior to further escalation observed by mid-March—factors such as local governance and geographic positioning may be helping insulate India and other Southeast Asian markets.However, with oil and gas supplies increasingly affected by the conflict in West Asia, the situation is rapidly evolving into a broader global crisis unless there is de-escalation in hostilities, the report said.India is actively diversifying its oil import sources to mitigate supply risks and enhance energy security.The sample in India is more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these markets should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of these populations.India’s sample represents a large subset of its urban population — social economic classes A, B and C in metros and tier 1-3 town classes across all four zones. Weighting has been employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent census data.