Global Economic Gallup Survey: Pakistan Overtakes India

According to the latest Global Economic Gallup Survey, Pakistan has performed better than India and the global average in key indicators related to economic outlook and expectations for peace at the start of 2026.

The survey was conducted across 60 countries and measured public sentiment about the coming year. The results show that Pakistan ranked above the global average in overall optimism, economic confidence, and expectations for peace.

In Pakistan, 51 percent of people said they are hopeful about the year ahead. This has resulted in a net positive outlook of 31 percent, reflecting growing public confidence despite ongoing global uncertainty.

On the economic front, 53 percent of Pakistanis believe that 2026 will be a year of prosperity. This figure is significantly higher than India’s 39 percent and well above the global average of 24 percent, indicating stronger economic optimism among Pakistani respondents.

Expectations regarding peace were also more positive in Pakistan. According to the survey, 52 percent of Pakistanis believe that global peace will improve in the coming year. In contrast, only 26 percent of respondents in India shared the same view.

The survey notes that this level of optimism in Pakistan is among the highest recorded since 1994. Similar trends were previously observed during the late 1990s and the mid-2010s.

Overall, Pakistan performed better than the global average on three major indicators: overall optimism, economic prosperity expectations, and hope for peace. Pakistan surpassed India on two of these key measures.

Despite an uncertain global environment marked by economic pressure and geopolitical tensions, the survey suggests that the people of Pakistan remain confident and hopeful about 2026. The findings present a comparatively positive picture of Pakistan’s economic direction and outlook on global peace when measured against regional and international peers.