Pakistan wrapped up 2025 on a note of tentative economic stabilisation — inflation eased off its brutal peaks, remittances stayed strong, and the external account looked a bit less shaky — but if you ask ordinary people, professionals, students, or business owners across the country, the picture isn’t all rosy.

A fresh nationwide survey by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA) captures that split mood perfectly. The public is divided: some see real progress in pulling back from the brink, while many others feel the gains haven’t really trickled down to everyday life.

According to the poll, which gathered views from a wide cross-section of society, 54.3% of respondents agreed that the economy did improve in 2025. They pointed to things like cooling inflation, steady inflows from overseas Pakistanis, and a more stable rupee and reserves picture — basically, the stuff that helped avert a full-blown crisis. But almost as many, 45.7%, described the year as turbulent, full of ups and downs. Weak agriculture output (still reeling from weather hits and other issues) and ongoing fiscal headaches meant that stabilisation felt uneven. Only a small slice — 10.3% — said the year turned out much better than they’d hoped, and just 12.1% called it steady. The takeaway? Macro stability is welcome, but consistent, inclusive growth that people can actually feel in their pockets remains out of reach for too many.

Looking forward to 2026, the vibe is cautiously optimistic, not wildly enthusiastic. Some 56.9% expect the economy to get better, while 43.1% think it’ll hold steady. Digging deeper, 29.3% see it as genuinely promising, and 25% are banking on solid growth, mostly pinned on hopes for a stronger industrial sector, better exports, and firmer domestic demand. But only 2.6% are ready to call the economy outright strong right now. Deep structural problems — low investment, productivity drags, and lingering vulnerabilities — keep the long-term outlook feeling fragile.

What’s really telling is what worries people most heading into this year. It’s not just the economy itself. Political instability tops the list at 33.6%, with fears that policy flip-flops, leadership tussles, or uncertainty could easily undo the fragile progress. Youth unemployment comes right behind at 29.3% — a huge red flag in a country with so many young people entering the job market every year. High inflation, even though it’s moderated, still nags at 26.7%, while climate and extreme weather risks feel more distant to most (10.3%).

The survey also asked what Pakistan urgently needs to stop doing if we want real, lasting progress. Top of the list: 31% said enough with repeating failed policies and short-term bandaids that never deliver. 28.4% flagged political conflict as a major drag, creating investor nerves and uncertainty. Another 26.7% want to cut the addiction to foreign loans, pushing instead for self-reliance through better domestic revenue collection and export growth. Neglecting basics like health and education also got called out as something that has to end.

When it comes to priorities for 2026, the message from respondents is loud and clear: put people first, not just big concrete projects. A whopping 84% said job creation and human development should come ahead of massive infrastructure builds. Breaking it down, 45.7% want urgent focus on generating employment, and 37.9% stress education and skills training to tackle youth joblessness and build a workforce that can compete. Infrastructure and healthcare matter, but they’re seen as secondary to creating real opportunities and investing in people.

On the international side, people are pragmatic about who we should lean on. China came out on top (44.8%), thanks to ongoing investment, CPEC projects, and infrastructure support. Neighbouring countries ranked next (26.7%) for the sake of regional trade and peace. Gulf states got 18.1% for jobs and remittances, while the US scored 10.3% for tech and education ties. Overall, foreign partnerships should deliver concrete economic wins, not just photo-ops.

There’s also a growing sense of personal agency. More than half (56.9%) plan to pick up new digital skills this year to stay relevant in a tech-shifting world. Another 25% are thinking about starting a business or side project, showing real entrepreneurial spark.

ICMA sums it up well: the survey lays out a clear public mandate. Governance fixes, real job creation, and efficient public services matter way more than flashy headline projects. With 62.9% demanding better delivery of basics like health, education, and utilities, 2026 won’t be judged only by GDP numbers or reserve levels — it’ll be measured by whether the stabilisation finally starts improving daily lives for regular Pakistanis.

This poll feels like a reality check and a roadmap at the same time. The stabilisation is real, but the real test is turning it into something broader and more tangible. If policymakers listen to what people are actually saying — jobs, stability, skills, and an end to the same old cycles — 2026 could mark a meaningful shift. If not, that cautious optimism might fade fast.