Indians losing hope for better quality of life under Modi: survey

A recent pre-budget survey has highlighted a growing sense of pessimism among Indians about their quality of life, with more than 37% of respondents expressing concerns that their living conditions will worsen over the next year.

This marks the highest such percentage since 2013, signaling a deepening economic challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he prepares to unveil his annual budget.

The survey, conducted by polling agency C-Voter, questioned 5,269 adults across India’s states. It revealed that stagnant wages, persistent inflation, and increasing living costs have been major factors contributing to the negative outlook.

The world’s fifth-largest economy is expected to experience its slowest growth in four years, exacerbating fears of a bleak future for many Indians.

Food inflation, in particular, has been a significant burden on household budgets, with nearly two-thirds of respondents noting that inflation has remained unchecked under Modi’s leadership since he became prime minister in 2014.

More than half of those polled also reported that inflation has negatively impacted their quality of life.

In the face of these economic pressures, the government is expected to introduce measures in the upcoming budget aimed at boosting economic growth, increasing disposable incomes, and supporting the middle class.

However, despite world-beating economic growth, India’s job market continues to fall short in providing adequate opportunities for its large and youthful population.

Almost half of the survey participants stated that their personal income had remained stagnant over the past year, while expenses continued to rise. Two-thirds reported that managing these rising costs had become increasingly difficult.

Additionally, the Indian government earmarked approximately $24 billion in the last budget to create jobs through various schemes, but these initiatives have faced delays due to ongoing discussions and lack of implementation.