In a groundbreaking achievement, Pakistan has surpassed both India and the global average in terms of optimism, economic outlook, and hopes for peace, according to the latest Global Economic Gallup Survey results from early 2026.
The survey, conducted across 60 countries, reveals that a net 51 per cent of people in Pakistan are optimistic about the year ahead, yielding a net positive score of 31 per cent. In contrast, India reported a figure of 39 per cent, while the global average was a mere 24 per cent.
When it comes to economic outlook, Pakistan ranks first with an impressive 53 per cent, indicating strong expectations for a prosperous 2026—better than both India and the global average. This positive economic forecast reflects increased consumer confidence, despite the uncertain international economic climate.
Additionally, Pakistan has shown robust expectations for peace, marking one of the highest optimism scores recorded since 1994. Similar patterns of optimism have been observed during the late 1990s and mid-2010s.
Overall, the Global Economic Gallup Survey indicates that Pakistan has performed better than the world average across three key areas: levels of optimism, economic prosperity, and hopes for peace. Notably, Pakistan outperformed India in two of these three dimensions. These results suggest that, despite the challenging and unpredictable global landscape, the people of Pakistan exhibit confidence and hope regarding economic development and global peace in 2026 compared to the rest of the world.
