Mumbai: Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Survey that maps happiness levels of urban Indians across 16 cities shows 76 per cent of urban Indians polled are happy. Happiness levels have been improving since August 2023.
Disparity in happiness
The survey displayed interesting trends by cities and demographics to show happiness is not uniform by zones and cities covered in the survey and there were disparities observed. Also, for socio-economic groups (SECs).
Like, 88 per cent of tier 1 respondents claimed to be happy, ahead of the metros (73 per cent), tier 2 (73 per cent) and tier 3 (70 per cent) cities. Similarly, west zone (85 per cent) and north zone (80 per cent) citizens were happier compared to East (60 per cent) and South (72 per cent) zone. Citizens belonging to SEC A (81 per cent) were happiest, followed by SEC C (76 per cent) and SEC B (73 per cent).
Parity in happiness
Most of these cohorts displayed similar happiness levels.
Interestingly, not much difference was seen by education levels on happiness – Low education citizens were almost as happy (76 per cent) as those with high education (75 per cent). Likewise, by professions, happiness levels were almost on the same grid for employed – full time and part-time (78 per cent), full time parents/ homemakers (77 per cent), self-employed (76 per cent), other miscellaneous segments (75 per cent) and students (72 per cent). Similar trend was observed by age brackets and gender – 18-30 years (77 per cent), 31-45 years (76 per cent) and 45+(75 per cent). And males (76 per cent) and females (76 per cent).
“Across demographics we observe majority of urban Indians to be happy. Being one of the fastest growing emerging markets, India is trudging forward with optimism, and this has a positive rub off on its citizens, as quality of life and living conditions improve, leading to boost in happiness levels. Though west and north are happier as have maximum buzz and opportunities. Tier 1 with a better quality of life is ahead of the congested metros in happiness. Higher socio-economic classes are happier,” said Ipsos India group service line leader, public affairs, corporate reputation & CSR Parijat Chakraborty.
What makes Indians happy?
The Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Survey provides some of the key barometers of happiness. These factors impact happiness and were seen to be the key contributors. Family (77 per cent) emerged the biggest source of happiness, followed by health (72 per cent), friends’ circle (67 per cent), neighbours (62 per cent), economic/ financial conditions (59 per cent), situation of the country (57 per cent) and situation of the world (51 per cent). Those working, cited employment/ work as a key contributor to happiness (69 per cent) and colleagues/ business associates (67 per cent).
“Happiness is not just an emotion. It manifests in relationships, wellbeing, social fabric, workplace and colleagues, stability in the country and the world. For Indians, family is their first and foremost source of happiness, followed by health, friends, financial conditions, work, et al,” added Chakraborty.
Methodology:
Ipsos IndiaBus is a monthly pan India omnibus (which also runs multiple client surveys), that uses a structured questionnaire and is conducted by Ipsos India on diverse topics among 2200 plus respondents from SEC A, B and C households, covering adults of both genders from all four zones in the country. The survey is conducted in metros, tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 towns, providing a more robust and representative view of urban Indians. The respondents were polled face to face and online. We have city-level quota for each demographic segments that ensure the waves are identical and no additional sampling error. The data is weighted by demographics and city-class population to arrive at national average. The data collection is done in every month and the results are calculated on two-months rolling sample.