2 in 3 Indians stay happy amid challenges: Ipsos Report

Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor reveals citizens' resilience in August 2024, with family ties and personal wellbeing at the forefront of joy.Despite facing tumultuous times marked by extreme weather events and economic strains, 2 in 3 Indians (65%) reported being happy in August 2024, according to the Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor. However, this period also saw a significant consecutive drop in happiness levels over the past two months, with a 5% decline in both July and August.

The report, which gauges the happiness quotient across demographics and regions in India, found that certain areas remained bastions of joy. Citizens in the West Zone (88%) and Tier 1 cities (85%) were notably the happiest, with happiness also remaining high among those in metros (74%) and the North Zone (73%). The report indicates that individuals from affluent social groups (SEC A at 72%), higher education backgrounds (68%), and full-time employees (68%) also displayed elevated levels of happiness.

However, regions like the East Zone and South Zone experienced significant downturns. The East Zone, in particular, saw a dramatic drop of 21% in happiness levels, largely attributed to the tragic incidents in Kolkata, including the rape and murder of a young doctor, as well as ongoing unrest in Manipur. The volatile weather conditions and monsoonal devastation in parts of the country further weighed down the happiness quotient in these regions, particularly among Tier 3 city residents, where happiness plummeted to 43%.

Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader at Ipsos India, emphasized the complexity of happiness, noting: “While there is a significant dip from previous months, the majority of Indians are still in a happy state of mind. However, we can’t ignore the toll that recent incidents, both natural and societal, have taken on the psyche of citizens, especially in the East Zone.”
Key Contributors to Happiness

Family remains the cornerstone of happiness for most Indians, with 73% citing it as their primary source of contentment. Health (65%), friendships (65%), and work or business relationships (64%) were also major contributors to overall happiness. However, economic and global conditions played a more negative role, with happiness related to financial circumstances and the state of the country seeing declines of 6% and 4%, respectively.

Chakraborty further commented: “Happiness is not just a fleeting feeling. It is deeply tied to various aspects of our personal and collective lives. The Ipsos IndiaBus Monitor reflects how family, personal wellbeing, and economic stability impact our happiness. As the world around us shifts, so do our levels of contentment.”

A Closer Look at the Survey

The Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor is a monthly survey conducted across urban India, polling over 2,200 respondents from SEC A, B, and C households. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of the happiness quotient in metros, Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities. The survey tracks happiness trends, identifying the underlying factors that influence the emotional well-being of Indians.

While the data reveals a dip in national happiness, the enduring optimism and resilience of the Indian population remain evident. As the country navigates through societal unrest and economic challenges, the focus on family and community continues to serve as a buffer, fostering a sense of happiness amidst adversity.