Survey exhibits 84% respondents name for job creation, human improvement over massive infrastructure initiatives
LAHORE:
Pakistan closed 2025 with indicators of financial stabilisation, however the public stays divided on whether or not the restoration has translated into broad-based prosperity, based on a nationwide survey performed by the Institute of Value and Administration Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA).
The survey, which captures the views of residents, professionals, college students and enterprise stakeholders, presents a blended however cautiously hopeful image for 2026, with governance, jobs and long-term reforms rising as decisive elements for sustained development.
The survey signifies that 54.3% of respondents acknowledged an enchancment within the economic system throughout 2025, pointing to easing inflation, larger remittances and a comparatively extra secure exterior place. These developments helped pull the nation out of a right away disaster section. Nonetheless, the restoration was uneven, as 45.7% described the 12 months as turbulent, marked by highs and lows. Weak efficiency in agriculture and chronic fiscal pressures restricted the advantages of stabilisation for a big section of the inhabitants. Solely 10.3% reported that 2025 turned out significantly better than anticipated, whereas 12.1% believed the economic system confirmed regular efficiency, underscoring that constant and inclusive development stays elusive.
Wanting forward, public sentiment for 2026 displays cautious optimism reasonably than robust confidence. The survey exhibits that 56.9% of respondents count on the economic system to enhance, whereas 43.1% consider it’s going to stay secure. Inside this group, 29.3% described the outlook as promising and 25% count on financial development, largely pushed by hopes of restoration in business, exports and home demand. But solely 2.6% view the economic system as robust, highlighting that deep-rooted structural weaknesses, low funding ranges and productiveness challenges proceed to weigh on long-term prospects.
The survey additionally reveals that financial efficiency alone is n`ot the general public’s greatest concern for 2026. Political instability tops the listing of anxieties, cited by 33.6% of respondents, reflecting fears that coverage uncertainty and management conflicts may derail fragile good points. Youth unemployment follows intently at 29.3%, signalling the urgency of translating macroeconomic stability into job creation for a quickly rising workforce. Excessive inflation, although easing, nonetheless worries 26.7% of respondents, whereas excessive climate and climate-related dangers have been thought-about a comparatively distant concern by 10.3%.
Respondents despatched a robust message on what Pakistan should cease doing to safe sustainable progress. In response to the survey, 31% referred to as for ending the repetition of failed insurance policies and short-term fixes which have traditionally did not ship lasting development. Political battle was recognized by 28.4% as a serious impediment that creates uncertainty and weakens investor confidence. One other 26.7% emphasised decreasing reliance on international loans, urging a shift in the direction of self-reliance by way of larger home revenues and stronger exports. Neglect of public companies akin to well being and schooling was additionally flagged as a problem that should be addressed to enhance social and financial outcomes.
When it comes to priorities for 2026, the general public overwhelmingly positioned folks earlier than bodily initiatives. A placing 84% of respondents confused that job creation and human improvement ought to take priority over massive infrastructure initiatives. Inside this, 45.7% demanded pressing motion on employment technology, whereas 37.9% highlighted schooling and abilities improvement as vital to tackling youth unemployment and constructing a aggressive workforce. Infrastructure and healthcare have been nonetheless thought-about essential, however respondents seen them as secondary to creating widespread alternative and bettering human capital.
On the exterior entrance, the survey highlights a practical strategy to worldwide partnerships. China emerged as an important companion for 2026, cited by 44.8% of respondents for its position in funding, infrastructure improvement and China-Pakistan Financial Hall (CPEC)-related initiatives. Neighbouring international locations adopted at 26.7%, reflecting the significance of regional peace and commerce. Gulf international locations have been recognized by 18.1% for his or her contribution by way of jobs and remittances, whereas 10.3% pointed to america for know-how and schooling hyperlinks. General, respondents emphasised that international relations must be pushed by tangible financial advantages reasonably than symbolic alliances.
The survey additionally displays a rising sense of particular person duty in shaping financial outcomes. Greater than half of respondents, 56.9%, mentioned they plan to study new digital abilities in 2026 to adapt to a technology-driven economic system. One other 25% expressed intentions to begin a enterprise or undertaking, highlighting entrepreneurial ambition, whereas mentoring and volunteering have been seen as secondary priorities.
In response to ICMA, the findings underline a transparent public mandate: governance reform, job creation and environment friendly public companies matter extra to residents than headline initiatives. With 62.9% calling for environment friendly supply of public companies, the message for policymakers is that 2026 will probably be judged not simply by financial indicators, however by whether or not stability interprets into higher each day lives for atypical Pakistanis.
