There have been lots of suicide bombings in Pakistan lately, corruption is rife, and the education system is in a terrible state. But only 2% of Pakistanis believe that each of these problems is the most important issue facing Pakistan.
So what is? Inflation, of course, thought by over 70% to be the country’s biggest challenge. Running at 21% (and with food prices up by almost a third), it’s imposing a heavy burden on the middle class, a devastating one on the poor. Unemployment, picked by 13%, is the only other issue to get into double figures.
This from IRI’s quarterly survey of public opinion, which now has data stretching back to 2006 and which published new results this week.
In just a few years, Pakistan has seen a complete collapse in confidence about the future. 86% of people now believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, slightly more than before February’s election. 72% are worse off than they were a year ago. 1% feel richer.
Policymakers badly need to cut through the political froth and focus on these fundamental drivers of social unrest. I thought people were bleak when I was here a few months ago, but the mood has darkened once again.
If anyone out there has any doubts about the depth of Pakistan’s problems, they should spend some time with IRI’s figures. Read the whole thing here.
