A recent Gallup Survey revealed that Pakistan’s over-all net hope declined in 2021. Less than half of Pakistanis expressed optimism for the coming year 2022.
As per statistics provided by Gallup Survey, Pakistan’s net hope declined by 15% in one year. 43% of Pakistanis taking part in the survey expressed hope about 2022. Meanwhile, 45% believe that 2022 will be a year of economic difficulty. As a result, Pakistan’s net hope of 2% is significantly less compared to the global net hope of 10%.
The revelations of the survey come owing to Pakistan’s dire economic conditions. In 2021, Pakistan witnessed four major economic hurdles; disruption in the global supply chain; increase in commodity prices; declining rupee; all along with increasing demand. As a result, over-all prices increased.
Read more: 92% Pakistanis convinced inflation at its highest: Transparency Int’l
Moreover, a sharp increase in petroleum prices also played a role in creating pressure on the economy, as the price of petroleum creates a ripple effect.
Pakistan’s net hope declines by 15% in one year. 43% Pakistanis express hope about the coming year 2022
End of Year Survey 2021 | Hope Index of Pakistan
Learn more:https://t.co/4uNfFKnGs4 pic.twitter.com/pPVNuXfcQ0
— Gallup Pakistan (@GallupPak) December 28, 2021
Meanwhile, on the positive side, Pakistan also witnessed economic improvements. During the month of Nov 2021, Pakistan’s exports had the fastest growth rate in South Asia. The exports grew by 33.5% compared to Bangladesh’s 31.3 % and India’s 26.5% growth.
Additionally, World Bank reported that the remittances into Pakistan grew by 26 percent during the year 2021. The country also achieved a historic tax collection during the month of November. On the development front, the PTI government managed to speed up many infrastructural projects.
Read more: PTI govt celebrates Pakistan’s achievements on Twitter
Owing to these remarkable achievements, 43% of Pakistanis who took part in the Gallup Survey still believe that 2022 will bring more success for the country. However, Pakistan’s net hope is still significantly less.
Pakistan’s net hope compared to its neighbors
While comparing Pakistan to India, 54% of Indians said they are hopeful for 2022. 24% said they are not hopeful. On the other hand, 19% think that 2022 will be the same as 2021, the Gallup Survey revealed.
For Afghanistan, only a mere 24% think that 2022 will be better than 2021. An alarming 56% believe that things will get much worse in 2022. Important to note, Afghanistan is currently facing a humanitarian and economic crisis. More than half of the Afghan population is facing extreme hunger, including a million children.
On the other hand, the situation will continue to worsen unless the United States releases the frozen Afghan funds.
Read more: 39 Congressmen urge Biden to release frozen Afghan funds
Washington seized nearly $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also suspended activities in Afghanistan, withholding aid as well as $340 million in new reserves issued by the IMF in August.