Only one in seven Pakistanis see economy as strong: Ipsos

Profit by Pakistan Today reported that just 14% of respondents, roughly one in seven Pakistanis, now regard the economy as strong, down from around one in five four months earlier. A new Ipsos survey also found that electricity load-shedding has moved into the top five public concerns.

Perceptions of economic strength dropped six percentage points from the previous quarter, with men, wealthier households and residents of Punjab and Sindh reporting relatively higher confidence. Inflation still topped the list at 69%, although it fell nine percentage points, with unemployment and poverty next in line. Worry over electricity costs rose nine points to 35%, while roughly a quarter of those surveyed anticipate that the economy will get stronger.

Investment confidence stood at 15% and job-security confidence at 16%, with job security back at its August 2024 level. Only one in 10 respondents felt at ease making household purchases, although this improved on the previous quarter, and the share positive about personal finances dropped by 12 points to 19%. Ipsos Pakistan Managing Director Abdul Sattar called the reading a tentative upturn rather than renewed assurance, saying people were not yet ready to commit more firmly to spending.