Pakistan and India remained in focus at the start of 2026, not due to political tension or conflict, but because of public confidence in the economy and hopes for global peace, according to the latest Global Economic Gallup Survey.
The international survey, conducted across nearly four dozen countries, shows that people in Pakistan are among the most optimistic in the world despite ongoing global uncertainty. More than 50 per cent of respondents in Pakistan said they are hopeful about the coming year, clearly higher than the 39 per cent recorded in India. The figures point to a growing confidence gap between the two neighbouring countries.
Pakistan’s performance stands out even more when compared with global trends. According to the survey, 53 per cent of Pakistanis believe that 2026 will be a year of economic prosperity. This is more than double the global average, which stands at just 24 per cent, placing Pakistan among the most economically hopeful nations worldwide.
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On the issue of global peace, Pakistan again ranked far ahead of India. About 52 per cent of Pakistani respondents said they believe peace in the world will increase in the coming year. In contrast, only 26 per cent of respondents in India shared this view, highlighting a sharp difference in public outlook between the two countries.
Gallup noted that this level of optimism is one of the highest recorded in Pakistan since 1994. The findings mark a significant moment in the country’s public sentiment and suggest a shift toward a more positive national outlook.
A closer look at the data shows that Pakistan performed better than the global average on all three key indicators measured in the survey. These include overall hope for the future, expectations of economic prosperity, and expectations of global peace. Pakistan also surpassed India on two of these major indicators, further strengthening its position in regional public confidence.
Despite a challenging and uncertain global environment, the Pakistani public appears confident and forward-looking. The survey reflects stronger optimism in Pakistan regarding economic growth and peace, sending a positive signal as the world moves into 2026.
