The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: A recent survey by the Pew Research Center has revealed that an overwhelming majority of Indians believe the gap between the rich and the poor is too wide. Approximately 81% of respondents expressed concerns about economic inequality, with 64% considering it a “very big problem.”
On Thursday (January 9), the Pew Research Center published its report, “Economic Inequality Seen as Major Challenge Around the World,” which is based on a survey spanning the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, North America, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Pew Research Centre
In India, while 81% underlined that the gap between the rich and the poor is a problem in the country, 39% of the surveyed individuals underlined that economic system needs complete reform and 34% suggested major changes are required.
When asked what leads to this inequality, most people surveyed across the world point to the intersection of wealth and politics.
“A median of 54% of adults across the nations surveyed say the gap between the rich and the poor is a very big problem in their country. Another 30% say it is a moderately big problem,” the report says.
It adds, “A median of 60% believe that rich people having too much political influence contributes a great deal toward economic inequality.”
In terms of economic inequality, Indians attributed the wealth gap to various factors, including the political influence of the rich (79%), automation (73%), the education system (72%) and racial or ethnic discrimination (56%). Further, 65% agreed that different opportunities at birth leads to economic inequality.
71% Indians view religious discrimination as a serious issue
The survey, which polled 41,503 people across 36 countries, including 3,600 in the US, also found that Indians are deeply troubled by religious and caste discrimination.
Source: Pew Research Centre
About 71% of Indian respondents viewed religious discrimination as a significant issue (57% considered it very big and 14% considered it moderately big), while 69% believed caste and ethnic discrimination was a problem.
These concerns are echoed globally, with a median of 29% of adults across the surveyed countries saying religious discrimination is a “very big problem.”