Gender and age differences remain minimal; married individuals report higher anxiety than singles
Bhubaneswar: India continues to experience elevated uncertainty driven by financial pressures, healthcare concerns, work–life imbalance, and wider societal challenges. With the national Index at 79, anxieties around financial preparedness, rising healthcare costs, mental well‑being, and long‑term stability remain widespread.
Bhubaneswar records an Index of 82—slightly above the national average and closely aligned with the East Zone benchmark of 84—indicating sustained household‑level financial and social anxiety. Unlike cities where uncertainty varies sharply across demographic groups, Bhubaneswar’s pattern is more uniform, shaped primarily by structural financial responsibilities.
Socio‑economic patterns show uncertainty highest among SEC C, while Classes A and B report comparatively lower—but still elevated—scores. Financial preparedness plays a major role: uncertainty declines steadily with broader insurance and investment ownership, reaching its lowest among residents holding four or more instruments.
Demographically, uncertainty remains consistent across genders and age groups, with minimal variation between Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Employment type does not significantly alter anxiety patterns, as business owners and salaried individuals report similar levels. Life‑stage analysis reveals that singles experience lower uncertainty, while married individuals—particularly those without children—report heightened anxiety driven by rising financial obligations.
Household‑level pressures dominate Bhubaneswar’s top concerns. Rising costs of elderly care emerge as the city’s leading worry, highlighting the burden of supporting ageing parents. This is followed by concerns around frequent tax changes, inflation eroding savings, mounting household debt, and worsening pollution levels. Additional anxieties include wealth creation for the future, vulnerability to new virus outbreaks, supporting ageing parents adequately, managing educational loans, and the impact of government tariffs on living costs.
Collectively, these concerns reflect a city where long‑term financial resilience—not short‑term disruptions—defines uncertainty. As families juggle elder care, rising expenses, and long‑range planning, the importance of structured financial protection and diversified portfolios becomes central to reducing anxiety and improving future confidence.
