Pakistan Outpaces India in Economic and Peace Optimism: Gallup Survey

Pakistan has emerged as one of the most optimistic countries in the world heading into 2026, outperforming India and the global average on public confidence about the economy and global peace, according to the latest Global Economic Gallup Survey.

According to survey findings, 51 percent of Pakistanis believe 2026 will be better than 2025. This level of optimism is significantly higher than in India, where only 39 percent of respondents expressed hope, and well above the global average of 24 percent.

The survey was conducted across 60 countries, covering nearly 60,000 adults worldwide, making it one of the most comprehensive global public opinion studies currently available.

Pakistan also ranked among the top five most economically optimistic countries globally.

Pakistan recorded a net prosperity score of plus 26 percent, placing it alongside countries like Saudi Arabia and Kenya. In contrast, many advanced economies in Europe and North America showed deep economic pessimism.

Globally, only 24 percent of people expect economic prosperity in 2026, while 40 percent anticipate economic difficulty. Pakistan’s results stand out sharply against this trend. Pakistan also performed better than many countries on expectations for global peace.

According to the survey, 52 percent of Pakistanis believe global peace will improve, compared to just 26 percent in India. This represents one of the highest peace optimism levels recorded in Pakistan since 1994, according to the survey data.

Gallup International’s analysis shows that only a small group of countries worldwide demonstrate optimism across all three major indicators: overall hope, economic outlook, and peace expectations.

Pakistan is among this select group, alongside countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kenya, South Africa, and Colombia. Most Western and European countries, by contrast, fall into the most pessimistic category across all indicators.

Optimism is strongest in the Global South, including South Asia, Africa, and the Arab world, while older populations in developed economies are the most anxious about the future.

People under the age of 34 remain the most hopeful worldwide, while those aged 55 and above show net pessimism on hope, economy, and peace. At the global level, 37 percent of respondents believe 2026 will be better, while 25 percent expect it to be worse. Although optimism still outweighs pessimism, global confidence has weakened compared to last year.

Despite global anxiety, Pakistan’s performance reflects rising public confidence.