The public isn’t the best judge of its own affairs. Despite easier and faster access to information and a vast number of sources, people are often wrong about the basics of their country – like how many
immigrants live there or the prevalence of crime. In 2017,
Indians were the fifth most inaccurate about such information, according to an Ipsos survey of 38 countries. Here’s what we get wrong…
1. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN INDIA DO YOU THINK ARE MUSLIM?
Rising cases of Muslims being lynched on the suspicions of cow slaughter and cattle smuggling is one issue that could have pushed the minority to the forefront of public discourse.
2. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF INDIA'S POPULATION DO YOU THINK ARE IMMIGRANTS TO THIS COUNTRY (I.E NOT BORN IN INDIA)?
The overestimation could possibly stem from the spotlight on immigration including with the National Register of Citizens in Assam and talks of a nationwide drive to identify those living in India illegally.
3. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PRISONERS IN INDIA DO YOU THINK WERE BORN IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY?
Most of them are in West Bengal prisons and are largely from Bangladesh. The other nationalities present in the largest numbers are Nigeria, Myanmar,Nepal and Pakistan.
4. DO YOU THINK THE MURDER RATE IN INDIA IS HIGHER , LOWER, OR ABOUT THE SAME AS IT WAS IN 2000?
The murder rate has gone down about 30% since 2000, but high-profile cases of violence against women and children have dominated the public sphere, possibly resulting in this negative perception.
5. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS AGED 15 TO 19 IN INDIA DO YOU THINK GIVE BIRTH EACH YEAR?
Though young women and girls giving birth may have been more common several generations ago, Indians believe girls are getting married off young and giving birth while still in their teens.
6. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE AGED 20 YEARS OR OVER IN INDIA DO YOU THINK ARE EITHER OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE?
Though India isn’t known for its strong healthcare infrastructure and awareness programs, obesity isn’t as widespread as Indians believe.
7. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE AGED 13+ IN INDIA DO YOU THINK HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT?
Indians massively overestimate
internet and social media penetration, which is still largely limited to urban regions.
8. WHAT PROPORTION OF INDIA'S TOTAL HOUSEHOLD WEALTH DO YOU THINK THE WEALTHIEST 1% OWN?
Though India has now been supplanted by Nigeria as the home to the largest portion of the world’s poor and surpassed France to become the sixth largest global economy, the government continues to struggle with income distribution.
9. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN INDIA DO YOU THINK SAY THEY ARE RATHER OR VERY HAPPY?
With the 2019 general elections on the way, a happy population bodes well for the ruling party; but Indians are convinced those around them have reason to be dissatisfied.
HOW THE US FARES
In contrast, the US doesn’t do much better, particularly on immigrant and Muslim populations, which isn’t surprising given the highly polarised ongoing debate on the issues.
