A majority of Pakistanis remain hopeful about their future in their own country, exceeding the global average across both the general population and youth demographics, according to the WIN Worldviews Survey 2026. The report, released on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by Gallup Pakistan, reveals that 65 percent of Pakistanis are either "very or somewhat hopeful" about their future, standing 7 percentage points above the global average of 58 percent.
Conversely, 32 percent of Pakistanis reported being "not very or not at all hopeful," compared to 38 percent globally, while 2 percent responded with "don't know" or gave no answer (compared to 3 percent globally). Among Pakistani youth aged 18 to 24, optimism matches the overall national figure, with 65 percent expressing hope for their future in Pakistan.
This slightly edges out the global youth average of 63 percent. Additionally, 31 percent of Pakistani youth reported feeling unhopeful, compared to a global youth figure of 33 percent, with 4 percent opting not to respond or stating "don't know" (versus 3 percent globally).
In international rankings for youth hopefulness, Pakistan ranks among countries with relatively high levels of optimism. Vietnam leads globally at 98 percent, followed by China (97 percent), Côte d'Ivoire (96 percent), Venezuela (94 percent), and Malaysia (85 percent).
Ecuador stands at 66 percent, while Argentina matches global youth figures at 63 percent. Pakistan's youth hopefulness (65 percent) ranks higher than several major developed economies and other nations, including the United States (52 percent), Germany (40 percent), Japan (36 percent), and Serbia (7 percent).
The findings are based on the WIN Worldviews Survey 2026, which surveyed approximately 45,000 individuals across 45 countries. The Pakistani fieldwork was conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, the national affiliate of Gallup International.
The local sample comprised 1,000 men and women across urban and rural areas in all four provinces. The data suggests that despite economic challenges, the sentiment among the populace remains resilient compared to many Western counterparts.
Analysts note that such surveys provide critical insights into the socio-political climate of the country. The consistency in optimism between the general population and the youth indicates a shared outlook on national trajectory.
Gallup Pakistan emphasized that the methodology ensures a representative cross-section of the country. The survey serves as a benchmark for understanding public morale in the post-2025 economic landscape.
As the country moves forward, these figures will likely be referenced by policymakers and international observers to gauge the stability and confidence of the Pakistani public.