Gen Z’s verdict on India’s progress is mixed. Are we listening?

India’s Gen Z is watching the country’s progress closely — and they’re not entirely impressed. According to ET Snapchat Gen Z Index, while there is some optimism about areas like cleanliness, many young people feel that core issues such as unemployment, price rise, and pollution have worsened over the past year.

The study, powered by Kantar, reflects a generation that is engaged and aware of national issues. Gen Z’s views on India’s development are mixed — with rising concerns about economic stress, safety, and corruption, even as some positive changes are acknowledged.

The ET Snapchat Gen Z Index was mapped to record changes over a 3-month period.


Concerns on unemployment and price rise
Among the respondents, 48% of Gen Z said that unemployment has worsened in the last 12 months. This was closely followed by 47% who believe price rise has also gotten worse.

These numbers suggest that India’s youngest working-age population is feeling the economic pressure — whether in job markets, daily expenses, or future career stability.

Gen Z’s concerns mirror current economic trends, where inflation and job creation continue to be challenges despite strong GDP growth in some sectors.

Pollution tops the list of worsening issues
Pollution is the issue Gen Z feels most strongly about. A full 55% of respondents said that pollution levels have worsened.

This comes amid rising awareness around environmental issues, with more Gen Z individuals saying they are willing to pay extra for eco-friendly products or support brands aligned with environmental causes.

The growing perception of environmental decline adds pressure on both local governance and national climate efforts.

Mixed response on cleanliness
Cleanliness is one area where Gen Z sees visible improvement. 37% of respondents said cleanliness has improved over the past year — a rare positive sentiment among other areas of concern.

This could be a reflection of continued government efforts under the Swachh Bharat initiative and growing civic participation in urban areas.

However, the overall response shows that visible cleanliness alone does not translate to broader satisfaction with governance or infrastructure.

Safety and corruption still worry young citizens
The study also reflects ongoing anxiety around corruption and women’s safety. While exact percentages weren’t detailed in the report, both issues were listed as areas where Gen Z saw negative or no significant improvement.

The continued concern in these domains suggests a demand for deeper reforms, not just awareness campaigns. For Gen Z, social safety and transparency are becoming key expectations from public institutions.

The last word
The ET Snapchat Gen Z Index offers a snapshot of how India’s youngest generation perceives national progress. While they acknowledge improvements in certain areas, they are clearly dissatisfied with persistent problems around jobs, inflation, pollution, and public safety.

This generation is not just watching — they are forming opinions, asking questions, and expecting more. Whether governments and institutions respond to these signals may shape not just policy outcomes, but political and civic engagement in the years to come.

For the in-depth report, click here