WASHINGTON: In Pakistan, 76 per cent people see inequality as a major challenge and less than half believe their children will have a better future.

The latest survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Centre shows that people in advanced economies are generally pessimistic about the financial prospects of the next generation. In contrast, emerging and developing nations are more optimistic that the next generation will have a higher standard of living.

Asked, “When children today grow up, will they be financially better off,” 48pc in Pakistan said they would be better off while 21pc said they would be worse off. Others had no opinion.

In Pakistan, optimism for the next generation has changed significantly in just the past year, +8pc.

The survey also reveals that the trend of going abroad to seek a better future is receding in most developing countries. Even in Pakistan, 66pc see more opportunities at home while 26pc still want to go abroad.

Also, 59pc in Pakistan believe forces outside their control determine success in life while only 13pc believe they determine their own future.

In India, 70pc people see inequality as a major challenge and 67pc say their children will be financially better off. Twenty-four per cent disagree.

The Bangladeshis have a greater faith in their future than both Indians and Pakistanis, as 71pc believe their children will be better off than their parents.

Also, 78pc Indians see more opportunities at home while18 pc still want to go abroad.

Like in Pakistan, the majority in India — 56pc — also believes in forces beyond their control determining their future. Only 27pc believe they shape their own future.

These are among the key findings of a survey conducted among 48,643 people in 44 countries from March 17 to June 5, 2014.

A median of 65pc of those surveyed in advanced economies say children in their country will be worse off financially than their parents. Just 25pc among emerging markets and 39pc among developing economies say the same.

The confidence in future is greater in China than in many advanced and developing countries as 85pc of the Chinese public says young people will be better off financially than their parents.

Majorities or pluralities in 30 of the 34 emerging and developing nations surveyed say they would tell young people in their country to stay at home in order to lead a good life, instead of moving to another country.

A good education and hard work are most often seen as the keys to getting ahead in life, a view especially prevalent in emerging and developing nations.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014