New Delhi: Indians express strikingly low levels of pride in their history, art, culture, and even their political system, according to a new 25 nation Pew Research Centre survey. This upends a common political refrain in India which holds that civilisational glory, democratic credentials and economic rise are sources of widespread national pride among the people. The survey was conducted from 18 to 24 August 2025.
India has a rich art and culture with thousands of years of history, but it’s the least that people are proud of. The report shows only eight per cent of Indians associate pride with art and culture. The number dips on the parameter of history, as only 2 per cent expressed pride.
In contrast, more people from European nations and elsewhere draw pride from their past, governance models, food or way of life.
The 100-page report looks at what makes people feel proud of their country in terms of culture, lifestyle, politics, economics and diversity.
The report surveyed 33,486 people across 25 countries such as Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Germany, and the United Kingdom. From India, the respondents were from different language belts such as Hindi, Kannada, Oriya, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Gujarati.
The report says that in most countries, people express some sort of pride in their national symbols. “For instance, some people are proud of their flag, especially in India and Turkey.”
Regarding history, however, it is the people from European countries such as Greece (37 per cent), France (22 per cent), and Hungary (21per cent) who are most proud.
“Our ancient origins are the birthplace of democracy, and (our) ancient philosophers are taught all over the world,” said one Greek man, cited in the report.
Also Read: America is divided, new Pew study shows. Healthcare, housing worries rise
Cuisine and lifestyle pride
Italian wines, French wines, and cheese are a common source of national pride, finds the Pew report.
According to the report, more than one-in-ten in Italy, France, Mexico and Spain say their national cuisine is a source of national pride. One Italian woman cited in the report said that although she has little pride in Italy, she, at least, is proud of “tortellini, Parmigiano-
“Food is sometimes used as a counterweight for those who are dissatisfied with the general direction of their country,” reads the report.
The report also found that 14 per cent in Spain and 13 per cent in Australia were proud of their lifestyles and the way of life in their country.
Also Read: Public confidence in Trump is eroding, even among Republican voters, Pew finds
Pride in Political system and economy
Despite being one of the first republics in the world, only 8 per cent in India were proud of its current political system.
The survey asked people about political systems including democracy elections and the constitution in their countries. Sweden (53 per cent) and Germany (36 per cent) topped the list of countries where most people were proud of their country’s system of government.
Whereas approximately in the Netherlands (24 per cent), Sweden (24 per cent), France (22 per cent) and the US (22 per cent) are proud of the economic freedom they enjoy in their country.
“Many are proud of the opportunities, work and jobs available to them in their country,” reads the report.
Countries such as Poland, South Korea and India expressed pride in their country’s economic growth.
And in the UK (29 per cent), Nigeria (25 per cent) and Spain (25 per cent), 20 per cent of the respondents said they were not proud of their country.
There are several reasons behind this, such as current leadership, democratic backsliding, economy, jobs, and immigration.
“Some people question or criticise their government systems more than their leadership. This is especially common in high-income countries in Europe and North America,” the report read.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)
Of this research has any meeit….It.shows that this is the culmination of decades and years of decay via Macaulay and the British. And, the same was propagated by the rust bucket party. Post independence from British, with roti, kapda, makaan politics,.the ecosystem has been denoincing anything and everything that is quintessentially Bharatiya and Hindu in nature while promoting, propagandizing, imposing other entities.
Learn why the Europeans feel proud, and as to why and how Bharatiyas were taught to feel less proud of their civilizational state.