Only 1 in 5 Pakistanis Believe Country is Headed in Right Direction: Survey

Only 1 in 5 Pakistanis believe that the country is headed in the right direction with males and lower income groups more optimistic compared to everyone else, according to the Consumer Confidence Index Survey by Ipsos. When asked “Would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?”, only 21 percent said that the country is moving in the right direction with 79 percent saying that the country’s direction is not right. 1 in 3 Pakistanis believe that the economic condition of the country is strong or moderate. Males, urbanites, higher educated, and middle class seem more optimistic. Pakistanis describing the country’s state as strong has quadrupled since September 2023. Meanwhile, those perceiving it as weak have steadily declined by 9 pp from their peak in the same month. Similarly, since the worst conditions in September 2023, Pakistanis have shifted their views by 6 pp, moving from inability to comfortability in making household purchases. In Q4, 1 in 5 Pakistanis expect improvements within the next six months with males and middle- and lower-income groups being more optimistic than rich. Meanwhile, optimism about local economic conditions has seen a significant shift, with distrust declining significantly by 20 percent this quarter. Also, optimism about local financial conditions has also risen by 4pp since Q3 2024, with ~ 1 in 5 Pakistanis now expecting improvements in the next six months. When asked “Compared to 1 year ago, are you NOW more or less confident to invest in the future, including your ability to save money for your retirement or your children’s education?”, the survey determined that 14 percent were more confident while 86 percent less confident. Confidence in the ability to make major purchases continues to decline, with only 4 percent of Pakistanis feeling comfortable making major purchases in Q4. 15 percent respondents were more confident about job security and placement while 85 percent appeared less confident.