Unemployment, Inflation, Terrorism and Brain Drain Biggest Concerns Among Indians Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha Elections: Pew Research Center

Mumbai, March 27: The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 dates are out and surveys from various research organisations are coming with fact-based analysis underlining the issues that people of the country are thinking about the performance of the country in the last five years. In the latest, Washington-based research organisation – Pew Research Centre – has come with a report stating that there has been growing dissatisfaction among Indians on lack of employment and inflation in the last couple of years.

The report, published on March 25, states that among other issues that concern the people of India are the rise in unemployment, terrorist attacks, corruption, rising gap between rich and poor, pollution, communal violence and brain drain. Even the safety of women in public – both on public and social platforms – remains a concern among the people. Employment, Healthcare and Drinking Water Top 3 Voters' Priorities, Finds ADR Voter Survey Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019. 

Here’s the breakup analysis of research conducted by the US-firm.

Unemployment: The biggest challenge ahead of the present Union government – wanting to return to power again – is to tackle with the issue of the high unemployment rate in the country. Seventy-Six (76) per cent adults opine unemployment is the biggest problem. According to the International Labor Office 2018 report, 3.5 per cent is the formal unemployment rate, while 18.6 million people were jobless.

Adding on to the sorry state, 393.7 million people work in poor quality and are vulnerable to displacement. There is a certain section of 67 per cent people who think that the job opportunities are at an all-time low.

Safety: The PRC report cites that 54 per cent of people in India live in areas where it is dangerous to walk at night. Along with it, the number of cases of crime against women and children are on the rise in the last five years (NRCB data).

When it comes to case of communal violence, there is a fear factor that is growing among the people of the country. Thirty-four (34) per cent people believe that there has been a rise in communal hatred cases in the country, while 45 per cent opined that situation is worse. Amid No Jobs Chorus, Modi Govt Claims Over 3.79 Lakh New Jobs in Government Departments. 

Corruption: The issue of corruption in the country has been a long issue of discussion. Every government that wants to form the government stakes claim to control corruption and inflation. The report states the 64 per cent people thinks that politicians are corrupt and 58 per cent opine situation won’t change. Adding on, 33 per cent believe that no government would ever care for the welfare of the people.

Migration/Brain Drain: This issue of brain drain has been a pending one which every government claims to solve, but looks like the files have not been taken out of shelves. Forty-nine (49) per cent of people think this is a very big problem. Since the issue is related with the quality of education, low wages and ‘poor’ quality of life, eight out of 10 (8/10) Indians with higher incomes and educational attainment cite pursuit of better life career and prospects outside India.

Also, there is a strong belief that the globalisation has paved the way for intellect minds to look out for better opportunities outside the country. Though there has been a significant rise in foreign trade in the last four years, 15 per cent think this would kill jobs, while 52 per cent feel the price of essential commodities would rise with this development.

Economy: The report states that India’s economy has averaged 7.3 per cent/per year since 2014. Two-third of the Indians (65%) opine that the financial situation is better than the last 20 years, while 15 per cent feel it has degraded. Employment Crisis: Job Market Stagnant Despite India Regaining 'World's Fastest-Growing Economy' Tag, Claims Survey.

There is an opinion among 55 per cent of the Indians that the country is proceeding in the right direction and are happy with the way things are going on in the country. The majority feels that the present Narendra Modi government performed better than the last two years of previous Manmohan Singh government.

Kashmir Issue/Relations with Pakistan: This remains to be the main discussable topic among the Indians. Sixty-five (65) per cent people think terrorism rose in the nation and 76 per cent opine Pakistan is a threat, while 63 per cent believe the neighbour nation is a very serious threat.

On Kashmir issue, 55 per cent of people think that this is a very big problem and 53 per cent people opine that the situation in the last five years has worsened. The majority of people believe that more security personnel should be pushed into the region to safeguard the interest of the country.

Considering the overall report, it can be said that though there are multiple issues and concerns, 54 per cent people looked satisfied with the works of Narendra Modi-led government, while 25 per cent declined to believe.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2019 12:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).