ISLAMABAD: As the year 2023 unfolds with the world entering a new disorder filled with crises on multiple fronts, the largest global trends survey ever from leading insights firm Ipsos, shows that globally, 74% agree that their government and public services will do too little to help people in the years ahead.
“More troubling is their lack of faith in the institutions with the scale to help,” remarked Ipsos Global CEO Ben Page while addressing top-notch corporate leaders at a special seminar organised by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (OICCI) in Karachi, says a press statement.
Abdul Sattar Babar, Managing Director of Ipsos in Pakistan, apprised the audience that complex times called for bold research, so Ipsos had invested in its most ambitious trends survey ever, fielded among more than 48,000 interviews with people in 50 markets, covering 70 percent of the world’s population and nearly 90% of its GDP. This is the sixth wave of Ipsos Global Trends, which began one decade ago in 2013.
This report reflects on how Ipsos’ 12 Global Trends have -- and haven’t -- changed over the last few, disruptive years. This outlook is supported by 10 years of data in many markets and fresh data in all 50. Among the key trends, the study tracks are:
Perspectives of globalization continue to improve in many countries around the world. Most people across the world believe that globalization is good for them personally (62 percent) and their country (66 percent). But while we appreciate globalization and how it helps create cross-cultural understanding and increases the accessibility of goods, we see nationalism prevailing at the governmental level and drawbridges being raised.
There is a global consensus that climate change is a reality and an existential threat. Eight in ten agree we are headed for environmental disaster unless we change our habits quickly.
Yet we are more hopeful about ourselves and our personal lives, even amidst this backdrop of disorder.
But the poly-crisis impacts our overall confidence. Only 31 percent are optimistic for the world in 2023. Closer in, most (58%) say they’re happy overall, and 59% are optimistic about the future for themselves and their family.
In fact, 80% of the world’s citizens think brands can make money and support good causes. Almost two-thirds say they will pay more for brands that act responsibly (64 percent). Climate concern remains one of the strongest global values with 80 percent agreeing that we’re heading for environmental disaster unless we change our habits quickly.
How can businesses and governments both navigate these waters and help their customers and citizens thrive in them? There is an opportunity to rethink the structure and purpose of businesses and systems to create a positive impact on society.
Global brands are in a unique position of power — they can bridge the gap between global and local people by offering the best of both worlds. Through their actions, brands can make an incalculable impact on the world through the trust they’ve already earned with their consumers. In-depth analysis of Pakistan-specific data vis-à-vis global, regional, and emerging markets trends revealed the following ten key insights: Pakistan is different. Pakistan came out to be on the lower end of the GDP per capita ladder. The demography of a transitioning nation portrays Pakistanis as a very young populace (55 percent under the age of 35) with 59 percent being millennials and low on education. Pakistan is at the sharp end of the global climate crisis – Pakistanis were in the middle of the standings before the floods hit the country last year. But afterward, views are changing fast, especially among the young. Mental well-being is secondary to physical well-being – Pakistan is one of only 11 of 50 countries where physical health is prioritized over mental well-being. Brand image matters in Pakistan – 70 percent of Pakistanis are willing to spend more on a well-known brand. This in effect has caused growth in brands across categories.
Pakistan – the home of data apathy – contrary to the global majority trend, Pakistanis are not concerned about their privacy or organisations/government keeping track of them. But Pakistan is also in the top five countries concerned about technology as they also feel that “technical progress is destroying our lives”. A nation of idlers? – Pakistanis are ranked the lowest in consumption of various forms of arts amongst the 50 countries and report far lower engagement in fun, sports, and other leisure activities. Pakistan has trust in business leaders over government – People have more trust in the business leaders over the government, in line with a broader trend in emerging markets. Pakistan’s attitudes to gender are far from the global average – 85 percent of Pakistanis agree that women’s role is to be good mothers and wives. Some 9. 8 in 10 Pakistanis want a “Purana” Pakistan – 83 percent of the people want the country to be the way it was before and 78% of the people said that if they were given a choice, they would like to grow up in the times in which their parents did. Despite it all, Pakistanis remain optimistic despite the fact an alarming percentage of people feel that the country is on the wrong path (86 percent) and 75 percent say that they are not happy, 53% are still optimistic about the country’s future – the fifth most optimistic country.