Life in Lockdown: a Survey of India's Urban Youth

LIFE IN LOCKDOWN A SURVEY OF INDIA’S URBAN YOUTH

AASTHA KAUL TERRI CHAPMAN © 2020 Observer Research Foundation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from ORF.

Attribution Aastha Kaul and Terri Chapman, “Life in Lockdown: A Survey of India’s Urban Youth,” Observer Research Foundation, July 2020.

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About Youth Ki Awaaz [email protected] youthkiawaaz.com

Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) is India’s largest, crowdsourced media platform that engages young people on key social justice issues at scale. The Youth Ki Awaaz community represents young India’s voice on critical issues shaping our world. With over 95,000 young citizen writers spread across all Indian states, and 3.5 million monthly readers, YKA enables young people to address and engage on important social justice issues that matter to them, through powerful storytelling and media creation. With the objective of moving the audience from ‘information to action’, and creating the deepest level of youth engagement, YKA also actively partners with organisations such as UNICEF, UNDP, Save the Children, Twitter, ORF, among others, to conceptualise, develop and create high-impact campaigns, movements, surveys, and projects.

Design and layout: Rahil Miya Shaikh

Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Rakesh Kumar Sinha and Akanksha Sharma for their invaluable contributions to this report.

Disclaimer: This report presents information and data that was compiled and/or collected by the Observer Research Foundation. Data in this report is subject to change without notice. Although the ORF takes every reasonable step to ensure that the data collected is accurately reflected in this report, the ORF, their agents, officers, and employees: (i) provide the data “as is, as available” and without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non- infringement; (ii) make no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the data contained in this report or its suitability for any particular purpose; (iii) accept no liability for any use of the said data or reliance placed on it, in particular, for any interpretation, decisions, or actions based on the data in this report.

Photos and images 3 - Getty Images/Yashvi Jethi / EyeEm 8 - Getty Images/Neha Gupta 10 - Getty Images/Francesco Carta fotografo 21 - Getty Images/Mayur Kakade 32 - Getty Images/Arijit Mondal 38 - Neha Tiwari / EyeEm 55 - Getty Images/KaanC 64 - Getty Images/Borisenkov Andrei 71 - Getty Images/Ekkaphan Phantanaangkul / EyeEm

ISBN Digital: 978-93-90159-23-9 CONTENTS

List of Figures 4

List of Tables 5

Executive Summary 6

Introduction 8

Section 1 10 Methods

Section 2 21 Education and Career

Section 3 32 Social Protections

Section 4 38 Mental Well-being and Social Connections

Section 5 55 Governance and Trust

Section 6 64 Conclusion LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 13 Figure 14 30 Respondents by Location (Number, %) Please select all of the following that apply Figure 2 14 to you (%) Respondents by Age (Number, %) Figure 15 31 Figure 3 15 Impacts of the coronavirus on Respondents by Gender (Number, %) employment (By city, %) Figure 4 16 Figure 16 34 Share of respondents that are students Share of employed respondents (Number, %) with health insurance (%) Figure 5 17 Figure 17 35 Were you employed before the lockdown (%)? Share of respondents with paid sick leave and unemployment insurance (%) Figure 6 18 Share of employment by gender and type of Figure 18 36 employment (%)? How much do you agree with the following statement: If I needed it right now, I would have Figure 7 19 access to adequate health care (%) Who atre you spending the lockdown with? (Number, %) Figure 19 37 How much do you agree with this statement: I Figure 8 23 have access to all basic necessities that I need Has your educational institution made provisions during the lockdown (%) for you to continue your studies during the lockdown (%)? Figure 20 40 How much do you feel your mental well-being Figure 9 24 has been impacted by the lockdown (%)? Do you feel that your educational institution has provided you with sufficient support during the Figure 21 41 lockdown (%)? How much do you feel your mental well-being has been impacted by the Lockdown? Figure 10 26 (By who you are spending it with, %) What mode of study are you able to do from home (%)? Figure 22 42 Share of respondents that report feeling lonely Figure 11 27 during the lockdown (%) If you are currently working, how are you working during the lockdown (Number, %)? Figure 23 43 Since the lockdown, have you been in touch Figure 12 28 with anyone that you hadn’t been in touch with If you are currently working, how are you for a long time (%)? working during the lockdown? (By city, %) Figure 24 44 Figure 13 29 How much do you agree with the following Do you feel that your employer has statement: I feel very supported by my family/ provided you with sufficient support during significant other during the lockdown (%) the lockdown (%)? Figure 25 46 Figure 32 53 How much do you agree with the following The hardest thing for me right now is (%) statement: At home during the lockdown I feel Figure 33 54 safe from physical and emotional harm (%). What are you most worried about (%)? Figure 26 47 Figure 34 57 How much do you agree with the following Do you feel that you have enough accurate statement: At home during the lockdown I feel information about the coronavirus, how it safe from physical and emotional harm (By who spreads and how to stay safe (%)? I'm staying with, %). Figure 35 58 Figure 27 48 What is your main source of information How are you keeping yourself occupied during regarding the coronavirus (%)? the lockdown (%)? Figure 36 59 Figure 28 49 If I or someone in my household exhibited Since the lockdown have you become part of symptoms of the coronavirus I would (%) any new digital communities (%)? Figure 37 60 Figure 29 50 Do you think the lockdown is necessary for Please select the type of digital communities reducing the spread of the coronavirus (%)? that you have engaged with during the Figure 38 61 lockdown (%) How much do you agree with this statement: Figure 30 51 I trust the Government in addressing the Have you contributed to government initiatives, coronavirus (%) NGOs and citizen groups who are helping in the Figure 39 62 fight against coronavirus (%)? Which country do you think India should take Figure 31 52 lessons from in fighting the coronavirus (%)? The types of contributions youth have made in Figure 40 63 response to the coronavirus (%) What do you think is most needed from the government right now(%)?

Table 1 12 Key Questions EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

s India emerges from its nationwide social protections, and their mental well-being, as lockdown, it finds itself in uncharted well as their assessment of the government’s ability territory, with the pandemic to respond to the crisis. fundamentally altering the way people work,A communicate, and lead their daily lives. The sample was largely female (73 percent) and Perhaps the most affected cohort is the young mostly employed (70 percent). Out of the 4,599 population, who represent 65 percent of India’s 1.3 respondents, 71 percent are living with their families. billion people.1 Because of the nature of the survey being online, this study makes an assumption that they all have This study aims to shed light on the perceptions some degree of internet connectivity and access to and experiences of India’s urban youth of the a device. lockdown. The report outlines findings from a survey of 4,599 youth in India between 18 and 32 years, As the lockdown closed all non-essential business, living in the country’s largest cities: Delhi, Mumbai, the impacts on the economy and labour market have Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. been significant. While some of the school-going and Data was collected through an online survey over working populations have been able to shift their a period of three weeks from April 8 to 27, 2020. work and studies online, many are being left out. To Respondents were asked about the impacts of the begin with, 320 million students have been affected lockdown on their schooling, work, their access to by school closures across the country.2 Among this EXECUTIVE SUMMARYMETHODS 7

survey’s respondents, 31 percent report that their adequate access to healthcare if they needed school has not made provisions for them to continue it. Combined with the fact that most youth their studies during the lockdown. Among those who respondents (71 percent) are living with their were previously employed before the lockdown, families, this linkage demonstrates the state 25 percent say that they are sitting idle at home as of social insurance in India, where the onus of their job does not allow them to work remotely. Even protection falls on the family. as the country begins to reopen, the impacts of the lockdown on learning and employment are likely to Respondents indicated a high level of trust in the be long-lasting. government’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite the perceived hardships The pandemic itself and the measures taken to from the lockdown, an overwhelming majority address it have created insecurity and uncertainty (96 percent) are of the view that it was necessary. around the globe. The survey respondents report Furthermore, despite non-government news that the lockdown has led to emotional upheaval, sources being the biggest source of pandemic- with 65 percent of respondents saying that they have related information for the majority of respondents felt lonely or very lonely during the lockdown. Indeed, (80 percent), government messaging has the impact on their mental health has been stark: 37 prevailed, as 72 percent of respondents report percent of the respondents feel that the lockdown that the state COVID-19 helpline would be their has severely impacted their mental wellbeing. first tool if a household member starts exhibiting Further, as the respondents look to the future, 43 symptoms. percent of them worry that they will no longer be able to lead a normal life after the lockdown. These findings do not fully represent the experiences of India’s urban youth. What The survey finds that few youth have basic social this report attempts to do is to uncover findings protections. Just 31 percent of the respondents that may implicate India’s youth in the coming who are employed, report having some sort of years. The report seeks to offer directions health insurance. At the same time, a majority of for further research on the socio-economic the respondents (66 percent) express a high impacts of the lockdown on the world’s largest degree of confidence that they would have young population.

INTRODUCTION

he world came to a standstill as The rest of the report is structured as follows: unprecedented lockdown measures Section 1 provides an overview of the methods. closed cities, deserted streets and Section 2 discusses the impacts of the confined people to their homes. The crisis and ensuing confinement measures strictestT initial response came from India, which on on education, learning, work and employment. 24 March brought the lives of over 1.3 billion people Section 3 analyses the current state of to a grinding halt under a nationwide lockdown. social protections situated in the context of the As India closed its schools and universities and ongoing pandemic and impending economic suspended all non-essential business and travel, recession. Section 4 highlights the impacts of it was immediately clear that India’s youth, who the crisis, and the measures to contain it, on account for 65 percent of the population,3 would the mental health of India’s urban youth. bear the brunt. India’s young people find themselves Section 5 presents findings related in a state of extreme vulnerability as the future to trust in government, the availability becomes more precarious and uncertain. of and sources of information, and youth views on what is needed It is within this context that the Observer Research most from the government. The report concludes Foundation (ORF) conducted the Youth Lockdown with a brief summary of the key findings, Survey. The survey asked 4,599 urban youth highlighting lessons that may be useful for India between the ages of 18 and 32 about their as it continues to battle the ongoing crisis. perceptions and experiences of the lockdown. The report is not meant to provide strict Data was collected online between April 8 to 27 policy recommendations, or a representative from six of the largest cities in India: Delhi, Mumbai, assessment of the lockdown, but rather, to Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. provide policy-relevant insights and analysis.

SECTION 1 METHODS

he Youth Lockdown Survey was designed was developed and the survey was digitised, an to help understand the impacts of the internal pilot was conducted. Revisions were made lockdown on India’s urban youth. The to the questionnaire and remaining bugs were central areas of investigation include the addressed in the online survey tool. The survey was Tfollowing: 1) education and employment; 2) social disseminated on the website of YKA and ORF and protections and wellbeing; 3) mental health; and promoted on social media platforms including Twitter 4) governance and trust. Table 1 shows the key and Facebook. questions of the investigation. Data collection took place over three weeks from April The survey questionnaire was designed by ORF 8 to 27, 2020. The survey was completed by 5,922 researchers. The anonymous online survey was respondents between the ages of 18 and 32. For the comprised of closed questions. The survey tool purposes of this report, ORF restricted the sample used for administering the survey was provided to six of the largest cities in India―Delhi, Mumbai, by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA). After the questionnaire Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The 12 METHODS

total sample for these six cities was 4,599 complete binary respondents were too small to be robust, responses. The majority (73 percent) of respondents we have included them in the analysis. Our initial were female, 25 percent male, less than one percent findings indicate that further studies on the impacts non-binary, less than one percent transgender, and and implications on the lockdown on these groups two percent preferred not to share their gender should be further examined. identity.4 While the number of transgender and non-

The survey was completed by 5,922 respondents between the ages of 18 and 32

QUESTIONS Education and • Are education institutions and employers providing support to students and employees? Employment • How has the lockdown impacted respondent’s education and work? • Have youth been able to continue learning and/or working from home during the lockdown? • Have respondents had to cut their hours of work, been forced to take unpaid leave, lost their jobs or had wage cuts?

Social • Do India’s urban youth have access to social protections such as unemployment insurance, Protections and paid sick leave or health insurance? Wellbeing • How do youth perceive the availability of health care right now? • Do youth feel that they have access to all the necessities that they need during the lockdown?

Mental Health • How are youth keeping themselves occupied during the lockdown? • How do youth feel their mental health has been impacted by the lockdown? • Do youth feel safe from physical and emotional harm while under lockdown? • Are youth engaging in new digital communities during the lockdown and if so what kind of communities? • What are respondents most worried about?

Governance • How do youth assess the quality of available information about the coronavirus? and Trust • What sources of information are respondents relying on? • Do respondents trust the government in responding effectively to the ongoing crisis? • To what extent do youth view the lockdown as necessary? And are they following the lockdown guidelines? • What do India’s urban youth think is needed most right now?

TABLE 1: KEY QUESTIONS METHODS 13

To be sure, a sample of 4,599 is not representative sample was therefore designed to collect views of urban youth in India. The data does however, from urban youth in Tier I cities across different reveal important insights that are worth exploring. geographies in India. Figure 1 shows the number India is geographically diverse, and the impacts of responses by location. of the COVID-19 pandemic have been varied. The

1,238, 27%

Delhi NCR

841, 18%

Kolkata

1,010, 22%

257, 6% Mumbai Hyderabad

849, 18% 404, 9%

Bengaluru Chennai

FIGURE 1: RESPONDENTS BY LOCATION (NUMBER, %) 14 METHODS

The sample age bracket of 18-32 was selected interest for this study. This age group, especially because this age group is likely to face differentiated those at the higher end, are facing a second major challenges in the context of the lockdown. The economic crisis in the beginning of their careers. education and employment implications of the Figure 2 illustrates the survey respondents by age pandemic and the policy responses to it are of group.

1,998, 43%

2,601, 57%

18-25 Years 26-32 Years

FIGURE 2: RESPONDENTS BY AGE (NUMBER, %) METHODS 15

The survey was administered online and promoted and tactics towards women in the age group of 18- and shared primarily through social media platforms. 32 years.6 The gender distribution of respondents There is a large gap in digital access by gender in is skewed towards females, with 73 percent of India, with two-thirds of internet users being male.5 respondents being female. Figure 3 summarises the ORF and YKA used targeted social media promotions respondents by gender.

6, 0% 81, 2% 1,166, 25% 1, 0%

3,345, 73%

Female Male Prefer not to specify Non-Binary Trans

FIGURE 3: RESPONDENTS BY GENDER (NUMBER, %) 16 METHODS

A small 23 percent of the survey respondents are students are between the ages of 18 and 26. students. The majority of respondents that are

1,073, 23%

3,526, 77%

Yes No

FIGURE 4: SHARE OF RESPONDENTS THAT ARE STUDENTS (NUMBER, %) METHODS 17

Seven of every ten (70 percent) of the respondents prior to the lockdown, 56 percent were employed are employed. While one-third of the respondents full-time, eight percent were self-employed, three are not employed, most of them (56 percent) are percent were employed part-time, and three percent students. Of those that report being employed were employed as interns or apprentices.

358, 8%

121, 3%

1,399, 30%

150, 3%

2,570, 56%

No Yes - As an intern or apprentice Yes - Full-time

Yes - Part-time Yes - Self-employed

FIGURE 5: WERE YOU EMPLOYED BEFORE THE LOCKDOWN? (NUMBER, %) 18 METHODS

More male respondents report having been being employed (33 percent), compared to 23 employed full-time before the lockdown than percent among males. More males were self- female respondents, at 60 percent and 55 percent, employed than females, at 12 and 6 percent, respectively. More female respondents report not respectively.

60 60 56 55

33 30 30 25 23

10 8 6 5 5 3 3 4 3 3 2 3 0 Female Male Prefer not to say Total

No Yes - Full-time Yes - Part-time

Yes - Self-employed Yes - As an intern or apprentice

FIGURE 6: SHARE OF EMPLOYMENT BY GENDER AND TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. METHODS 19

Most respondents (71 percent) are spending the or with their extended family. Figure 6 shows the lockdown with their family. The remaining one- breakup of who the respondents are spending the third of the respondents are either alone, with their lockdown with. significant other, staying with friends or housemates,

172, 4% 276, 6%

357, 8%

524, 11%

3,207, 71%

With my family Alone With my significant other

With friends/housemates With my extended family

FIGURE 7: WHO ARE YOU SPENDING THE LOCKDOWN WITH? (NUMBER, %) 20 METHODS

SUMMARY OF THE SAMPLE POPULATION: are students. Most respondents are living at home with their family, and because of the The survey sample is made up of Indian youth nature of the survey being online, this analysis between the ages of 18 and 32, who are living assumes that they have internet connectivity in India’s six largest cities. The vast majority of and access to a device. The next section respondents are female, at 73 percent. The explores the implications of the crisis and the largest share of respondents are also employed lockdown on respondents’ education, work and at 70 percent. Just 23 percent of respondents employment.

INDIAN YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS 18 AND 32 WHO ARE LIVING ARE FEMALE, AT 73 PERCENT IN INDIA’S SIX LARGEST CITIES.

THE LARGEST SHARE OF PERCENT RESPONDENTS ARE 23 OF RESPONDENTS ARE STUDENTS EMPLOYED, AT 70 PERCENT

SECTION 2 EDUCATION AND CAREER

ost countries have temporarily closed The survey asked respondents how their educational institutions in response education and work have been affected by the to the spread of COVID-19. This has lockdown. Are education institutions providing meant that 1.2 billion learners have support to their students during this time? beenM impacted across 146 countries.7 In India, 320 What modes of study are students able to do million students overall, and 34.3 million students in from home? For those that were employed higher education, have been impacted by the closure before the lockdown, how has their work been of education institutions.8 affected?

One-third of students say that their institution has not made remote learning possible for them during the lockdown. EDUCATION AND CAREER 23

A majority (69 percent) of the respondents that learning possible for them during the lockdown. are students (23 percent of the total sample) There are differences between cities, with 78 report that their educational institution has made percent of respondents in Bengaluru reporting provisions for them to continue their studies during that their institutions had made provisions for the lockdown. One-third of students, however, them to continue their studies, compared to just say that their institution has not made remote 59 percent in Mumbai.

100

80 78 75 76 69 70 68 63 59 60

41 40 37

32 31 30 25 24 22 20

0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Yes No

FIGURE 8: HAS YOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION MADE PROVISIONS FOR YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING.

24 EDUCATION AND CAREER

Of the 23 percent of respondents that are that their institution has been very unsupportive, students, nearly three-quarters – 73 percent – compared to just six percent of females. There feel that their educational institution has provided are also differences between cities, with more them with sufficient support during the lockdown. students in Chennai and Bengaluru reporting that Meanwhile 26 percent of the respondents say that they have sufficient support from their education they have had a lack of support. Assessments vary institutions, at 85 and 81 percent, respectively. slightly by gender, with 14 percent of males saying

Nearly three-quarters – 73 percent – feel that their educational institution has provided them with sufficient support during the lockdown.

100 7 8 8 9 7 8 90 15 8 13 18 20 18 80 19

24 70

63 50 58 53 56 58 57 40 39

10 23 22 21 22 17 14 15

0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Very supportive Supportive Unsupportive Very unsupportive

FIGURE 9: DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH SUFFICIENT SUPPORT DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. EDUCATION AND CAREER 25

Lockdowns everywhere have changed resources and ability to create online content. how education and learning need to be The implications of this in India are unclear. approached. In this context, teachers and While internet penetration is relatively students are facing a number of challenges high in urban India at 65 percent, most including student health and wellbeing, the people connect to the internet via their continuity of learning and teaching, equality, mobile phones.10 The availability of devices, accessibility and connectivity, student and those that are suitable for schoolwork engagement, and the lack of preparedness is likely a constraint for many students. and capacity of teachers.9 After all, just 23 percent of households in urban India have a computer.11 Moreover, Shifting to remote teaching and learning there is a gender gap in mobile phone requires students to have internet access, ownership, with 71 percent of males owning devices, and spaces to work. Teachers are phones, compared to just 38 percent required to have the same, along with the of females.12 26 EDUCATION AND CAREER

For some, the transition to learning online has any of the other cities, and around one- been relatively smooth, but for others the transition third of students are using videos and has been difficult or has yet to occur. To gauge virtual tutorials. Hyderabad appears to be how sophisticated online learning techniques struggling the most to deliver live, diverse are for students, the survey asked them what and engaging content to students as they modes of study they are doing during the lockdown. shift to learning from home. While online Half of the students (52 percent) selected learning has become a necessity, addressing self-study. More students in Bengaluru are the potential gaps in access and quality will participating in virtual classroom activities than be essential during the lockdown and beyond.

64 61 60 59 58 57

52 53 52 52 50 47 46

40 40 39 38 37 34 34 35 32 31 30

20 20

12 10 10 10 9 7 8

0 0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Self-study Virtual classrooms/Webinars (Group study online)

Virtual tutorials (Audio, Videos) Other

FIGURE 10: WHAT MODE OF STUDY ARE YOU ABLE TO DO FROM HOME? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AS RESPONDENTS COULD SELECT MULTIPLE ANSWER OPTIONS. EDUCATION AND CAREER 27

The lockdown in India closed businesses, offices, working from home. However, one-quarter of Federal and State departments, transportation, the respondents say that they are sitting idle and confined people to their homes. Only essential as the nature of their job does not permit workers and industries were permitted to continue remote working. Just three percent of respondents operations under the lockdown. This has meant report that they are occasionally going to that the economy and labour market have come their workplace, and an even smaller two percent to a standstill. are regularly going to their workplace. One in every ten (10 percent) of respondents say Of the respondents that report being employed none of these scenarios match their current prior to the crisis, 60 percent said that they were situation.

63 60 60 59

52 50

31 30 25 23 21 20 16

10 10 10 10

4 2 2 3 4 3 2 0 0 Female Male Prefer not to say Total

From home Sitting idle as the nature of my job doesn’t permit remote working

None of the above Occasional visit to the office/workplace

I am still going to my workplace regularly

FIGURE 11: IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING, HOW ARE YOU WORKING DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 28 EDUCATION AND CAREER

The economic makeup of each of Some cities in India appear to be more digital- India’s states and cities are diverse. Some ready. In Bengaluru, for example, 72 percent of cities have higher concentrations of essential the respondents are currently working from home. workers such as those in healthcare, while This is compared to just 50 percent in Kolkata, 52 other have a greater share of industries where percent in Mumbai, and 60 percent in Delhi. In teleworking is possible, or industries Kolkata, more than one-third (33 percent) of the such as hospitality that have been young workforce is sitting idle as they are unable closedcompletely. Some cities, therefore, to do their job from home. This is compared to just will fare better than others in the months 16 percent of respondents in Bengaluru and 25 to come. percent overall.

Total 60 25 10 3 2

Mumbai 52 31 12 2 2

Kolkata 50 33 12 3 4

Hyderaad 66 23 8 2 2

Delhi NCR 60 23 10 4 3

Chennai 63 23 6 4 3

Bengaluru 72 16 8 2 1

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

From home Sitting idle as the nature of my job doesn’t permit remote working

None of the above Occasional visit to the office/workplace I am still going to my workplace regularly

FIGURE 12: IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING, HOW ARE YOU WORKING DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (BY CITY, %) EDUCATION AND CAREER 29

The challenges faced by employers and (20 percent) of the respondents say that their employees alike are unprecedented, but some employer is not providing adequate support employers have been better at meeting the to them during the lockdown. Bengaluru needs of their workers during this uncertain time. stands out, with the highest share of respondents Most employed respondents feel that they are (88 percent) reporting that they have sufficient getting adequate support from their employer support. Respondents in Kolkata are the least during the lockdown. One-third (33 percent) of satisfied with their employers, with nearly one- the respondents say they feel very supported by third (28 percent) saying that their employer is their employer, while nearly half (47 percent) not providing them enough support during the report feeling supported. One in every five lockdown.

100 3 4 8 8 9 8 7 90 9 11 14 13 14 13 80 19

70 44 60 53 45 47 46 49 50 47

20 44 35 33 32 29 32 25 10

0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Very supportive Supportive Unsupportive Very unsupportive

FIGURE 13: DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH SUFFICIENT SUPPORT DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 30 EDUCATION AND CAREER

Across the world, the disruptions caused by report that their wages and work commitments confinement measures have led to substantial have not changed due to the pandemic, 17 percent impacts on labour markets. For individuals, report that their hours have been reduced, 15 this has meant job loss, reduced hours, wage percent say that their wages have been cut, cuts, and extended leave. India is no exception: and eight percent have been forced to take while 36 percent of employed respondents unpaid leave.

37 36 36 35

30 27 26 26 26 25

20 20

17 17 17 16 15 15 15 14

11 10 9 8 7 7 5 5 5 5 4 4 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Female Male Prefer not to Say Total

I have been forced to take paid I have been forced to take I lost my job because leave because of coronavirus unpaid leave of coronavirus

My commitment and wages My wages has been reduced My wages remain remain unchanged because of the coronavirus unchanged

My work hours have been reduced None of the above because of coronavirus apply to me

FIGURE 14: PLEASE SELECT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING THAT APPLY TO YOU (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100% AS RESPONDENTS COULD SELECT MULTIPLE ANSWER OPTIONS. EDUCATION AND CAREER 31

In the United States (US), more than 36 million each. Reductions in working hours have also been people filed for unemployment protection in eight highest in Delhi, with 20 percent of youth reporting weeks;14 in the UK, job loss claims increased by reduced working hours. At the same time, eight 70 percent in April.15 India’s story is similar: the percent of the respondents report being forced to unemployment rate increased to an estimated 24 take unpaid leave, while this number rises to 10 percent in the middle of May.16 This survey’s results percent in Kolkata. Young workers in Bengaluru reveal that five percent of urban youth have lost have been the least affected, with fewer workers their jobs due to COVID-19, with more job loss losing their jobs, seeing pay cuts, or reductions in occurring in Delhi and Kolkata at seven percent work hours.

20 20 20

18 17 17 17 16 15 15 15 14 13 12 12 11 10 10 9

8 7 8 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

My work hours have been reduced My wages has been reduced I have been forced to because of the coronavirus because of the coronavirus take unpaid leave

I lost my job because of I have been forced to take paid My wages remain coronavirus leave because of the coronavirus unchanged

FIGURE 15: IMPACTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS ON EMPLOYMENT (BY CITY, %)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100% AS RESPONDENTS COULD SELECT MULTIPLE ANSWER OPTIONS. © Orbon Alija/iStock SECTION 3 SOCIAL PROTECTIONS

ocial protections are measures taken social protections provide essential support to by the state to ensure the well-being of individuals and households, and help stabilise the the population. These include health economy. insurance, unemployment protection, incomeS transfers, and parental leave. Many social The Youth Lockdown Survey asked respondents protection programs are linked to individuals by their if workers have access to paid sick leave, health employer. In India, this means that they are accessible insurance or other basic social protections. The only to a small fraction of the workforce engaged in survey also asked respondents how they feel about formal and organised employment.17 During a health access to necessities and healthcare during the crisis and in the wake of an economic recession, ongoing crisis. 34 SOCIAL PROTECTIONS

Just 31 percent of the respondents say that to have health insurance at 39 percent. A little they have health insurance either through their more than one-fifth (22 percent) of self-employed employer or privately. Among youth that are respondents say that they have private health employed as interns or apprentices, just two insurance. More than twice as many respondents percent report having employer-provided health have employer-provided health insurance insurance, while 14 percent say they have private than private insurance, at 31 and 14 percent, coverage. Among part-time workers, 16 percent respectively. During widespread job loss in India, have health insurance, 14 percent of which is many people are at risk of losing their health private. Full-time employees are the most likely coverage.

40 39

31 30

22 20

15 14 14 14 14

5 2 2 1 0 Employed as Employed Employed Self-Employed Total An Intern or Full-Time Part-Time Apprentice

I have health insurance through my employer I have private health insurance

FIGURE 16: SHARE OF EMPLOYED RESPONDENTS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE (%) SOCIAL PROTECTIONS 35

COVID-19 has underlined the importance of they have paid sick leave. Moreover, as millions paid sick leave. For many people, taking unpaid of people lose their jobs, just one percent of leave even when they are feeling unwell is not an survey respondents say that they have option; amidst a pandemic, this presents a major unemployment insurance. A little over one-third risk to public health. As India begins to reopen, (35 percent) of respondents don’t have health this will increasingly be a challenge as just insurance, paid sick leave or unemployment 15 percent of employed respondents say that insurance.

70 66

60 57 53

40 35

30 30

20 18 15

2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 Employed as Employed Employed Self-Employed Total An Intern or Full-Time Part-Time Apprentice

I don’t have paid sick leave, unemployment insurance or health insurance

I have paid sick leave through my employer I have unemployment insurance

FIGURE 17: SHARE OF RESPONDENTS WITH PAID SICK LEAVE AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (%) 36 SOCIAL PROTECTIONS

The surges in the number of COVID-19 cases More than half (66 percent) of the respondents around the world have strained hospital bed think that they would have access to healthcare capacity, the availability of ICU beds, ventilators, if they needed it right now. Twenty-four percent personal protective equipment (PPE) and other of the respondents are unsure, and 10 percent supplies.18 The survey asked youth what their say that they disagree or strongly disagree. perception is about the availability of adequate A slightly higher number of younger male healthcare during the pandemic. Despite mostly respondents (23 percent) are confident about the not having health insurance, they feel optimistic availability of adequate healthcare than females about the availability of adequate healthcare. (19 percent).

50 48 46 47 46 45 44 43

40 36

30 29 25 24 24 23 21 19 20 20 19 20 20 18 15

10 10 8 9 7 7 7 5 4 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 Female Male Prefer not Female Male Prefer not Total to Say to Say 18-25 Years 26-32 Years

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree I am unsure

FIGURE 18: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: IF I NEEDED IT RIGHT NOW, I WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. SOCIAL PROTECTIONS 37

Global supply chains have been disrupted as firms, Respondents spending the lockdown with travel, trade and borders have closed around the their significant other or their family are the world, and countries have real concerns about most likely to feel secure about the shortages in necessities such as medicines, food availability of necessities. Unsurprisingly, staples, and PPE. India’s urban youth, however, respondents that are living alone are seem less worried. A large majority (91 percent) the most likely to feel that they do not have of the respondents agree or strongly agree that all that they need during the lockdown. they have all the basic necessities that they need during the lockdown.

100 4 2 2 2 1 2 10 6 5 8 9 7 90 13 10 80

70 49 50 50 49 50 60 44 55 50

43 44 20 40 41 41 37 28 10

0 Alone Other With friends/ With my With my With my Total housemates extended family family significant other

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

FIGURE 19: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT: I HAVE ACCESS TO ALL BASIC NECESSITIES THAT I NEED DURING THE LOCKDOWN (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING.

SECTION 4 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

he lockdown measures implemented in one that has been silenced and stigmatised.20 With India and across the globe are necessary the passing of the Mental Healthcare Act in 2017, the for containing the spread of COVID-19. tide turned and, despite the law’s weaknesses, it Experts agree that such efforts need laid the foundation for allowing India to strengthen toT continue until the number of new cases decline, its mental health framework.21 However, with the and there is fast and accurate means of contact ongoing crisis, India risks impeding progress as tracing; or until a safe and effective vaccine is individuals struggle to access mental health resources available.19 This means that even while the lockdown and struggle with unprecedented challenges. restrictions begin to ease, the post-lockdown period will remain filled with uncertainty. The impacts of This survey asked the respondents how the this on education, employment, and the economy lockdown has affected their overall wellbeing. How will be significant and long-lasting. So too will are people coping and responding to the lockdown? the impacts on individual wellbeing and mental How many people feel that their physical and health. emotional wellbeing is protected while under the lockdown? What positive trends are emerging? Are With an estimated 150 million people affected, individuals engaging in new digital communities India’s mental health battle has traditionally been and finding support online during this crisis? 40 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

The survey first asked the respondents how lockdown. More respondents between the age they feel the lockdown has affected their mental of 18-25 report feeling that their mental health. More than one-third (37 percent) of the wellbeing has been strongly affected at 41 percent, respondents say that they feel their mental health compared to 35 percent of 26-32 year-olds. has been strongly impacted by the lockdown. Non-binary respondents between the ages of Just 11 percent of the respondents say that their 18 and 25 have the highest rate of being mental well-being has not been impacted by the strongly affected.

100

33 36 35 33 35 80 42 39 41 52 70 67

40 50 48 54 54 53 67 50 0 49 30 36

20 33 10 13 12 13 8 10 9 11 12 0 0 Female Male Non Prefer not Total Female Male Non Prefer not Total Binary to Say Binary to Say

18-25 Years 26-32 Years

Not impacted at all Somewhat impacted Strongly impacted

FIGURE 20: HOW MUCH DO YOU FEEL YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 41

Most respondents (71 percent) are spending the respondents who are alone say they feel that their lockdown with their family, but one-third of them mental wellbeing has been strongly impacted. are either alone, with friends, their significant Those that are spending the lockdown with their other or extended family. The results show that family are not exempt from the psychological and those who are with their significant other are emotional impacts of the lockdown. More than slightly more likely to say that they do not feel one-third (35 percent) of those staying with their that their mental wellbeing has been affected. family say that they feel their wellbeing has been On the other hand, more than half (53 percent) of Strongly impacted.

60 59

53 53 51 51 50 48 46 44 41

40 38 37 36 35

30 29

12 11 11 11 10 10 11 10

0 Alone Other With friends/ With my With my With my Total housemates extended family family significant other

Not impacted at all Somewhat impacted Strongly impacted

FIGURE 21: HOW MUCH DO YOU FEEL YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY THE LOCKDOWN? (BY WHO YOU ARE SPENDING IT WITH, %)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 42 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Young people are at a higher risk of suffering left many young people feeling alone. More than from the psychological and emotional stress of six of every ten (65 percent) of the respondents the outbreak.22 Being separated from friends, report feeling lonely or very lonely during the colleagues and normal everyday activities has lockdown.

600, 13%

2050, 45% 919, 20%

1030, 22%

I rarely feel lonely I feel very lonely I am not lonely I sometimes feel lonely

FIGURE 22: SHARE OF RESPONDENTS THAT REPORT FEELING LONELY DURING THE LOCKDOWN (%) MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 43

In need of human contact, many young people More than one-third (37 percent) of youth say that are reaching out to friends and colleagues that they are in touch with someone they have not they have not been in touch with in a long time. connected with for a while.

Total 37 63

Prefer not to say 28 72

Non Binary 17 83

Male 36 64

Female 37 63

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

FIGURE 23: SINCE THE LOCKDOWN, HAVE YOU BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE THAT YOU HADN’T BEEN IN TOUCH WITH FOR A LONG TIME? (%) 44 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

While most youth feel that their family and Respondents that are spending the lockdown significant other are supportive during the with their significant other are most likely to lockdown, 16 percent of respondents do not report feeling that they have sufficient support at feel that they have the needed support. 44 percent.

Total 37 48 12 4

With my extended family 24 55 16 6

Alone 24 50 15 11

Other 30 54 8 8

With friends/housemates 33 54 11 1

With my family 39 46 11 3

With my significant other 44 44 9 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

FIGURE 24: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: I FEEL VERY SUPPORTED BY MY FAMILY/SIGNIFICANT OTHER DURING THE LOCKDOWN (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 45

Previous disasters and subsequent lockdown began.24 Similarly, France has had disruptions have shed light on the increased a 30-percent increase in reports of domestic risk of domestic violence during times violence, and in Argentina, since March of uncertainty.23 Indeed, in the ongoing 10th, the increase has been 25 percent. COVID-19 pandemic, confinement measures Other countries like Canada, Germany, and around the world have led to a rise in the the US have also reported increases in incidence of domestic violence. The UK cases of domestic violence and demand for domestic violence hotline, for instance, saw emergency shelter since lockdown measures a 25-percent increase in calls since the have been implemented.25

THE UK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE SAW A 23 PERCENT INCREASE IN CALLS SINCE THE LOCKDOWN BEGAN.

FRANCE HAS HAD A 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN REPORTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

ARGENTINA HAS SEEN A 25 PERCENT INCREASE IN REPORTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 46 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

India, too, has seen a surge in domestic violence lockdown at 33 percent.27 Data from other cases following the lockdown.26 The sense of parts of the world reveal that trans-gender isolation coupled with enhanced mental and and non-gender conforming individuals financial stress, has increased the potential for face significantly higher rates of physical violence physical aggression. A significant 21 percent of from their intimate partners, physical hate youth say that they do not feel safe from physical violence, and police violence.28 This is also true and emotional harm at home during the lockdown. in India, where gender-diverse populations More non-binary youth report feeling unsafe face stigma, marginalisation, discrimination from physical and emotional harm during the and violence.29

Total 31 48 16 5

Prefer not to say 31 46 21 2

Non Binary 17 50 33 0

Male 33 47 14 6

Female 31 48 16 5

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

FIGURE 25: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: AT HOME DURING THE LOCKDOWN I FEEL SAFE FROM PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HARM (%) MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 47

Respondents who are alone or spending the lockdown report disagreeing or strongly lockdown with extended family are the most disagreeing that they feel safe. Respondents likely to report feeling unsafe from physical staying with their significant other are the most and emotional harm during the lockdown. Nearly likely to say that they feel safe from harm during one-third (29 percent) of the respondents who the lockdown with 85 percent agreeing or strongly are staying with extended family during the agreeing.

60 59

50 50 48 48 47 47 45

40 38 34 31 30 26 25 23 21 20 20 20 16 16 14 14 13 11 11 10 8 5 4 4 4

0 Alone Other With friends/ With my With my With my Total housemates extended family family significant other

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

FIGURE 26: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: AT HOME DURING THE LOCKDOWN I FEEL SAFE FROM PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HARM (BY WHO I'M STAYING WITH, %). 48 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

The survey asked respondents what activities More than half (53 percent) of the respondents they have been doing during the lockdown. Most say that they are talking to friends and family, youth report that they are keeping themselves 25 percent say that they are working more, 24 occupied by listening to music, reading, listening percent are exercising, and 16 percent have to podcasts, and watching TV series and movies. started a new hobby.

Passive activities (listening to music/reading/listening to 78 podcasts, watching movies/series)

Talking to friends and family 53

Working more 25

Exercising 24

Other 17

Starting a new hobby 16

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

FIGURE 27: HOW ARE YOU KEEPING YOURSELF OCCUPIED DURING THE LOCKDOWN? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 49

Under the lockdown, more social activities have the lockdown, and 35 percent say shifted online. More than half (53 percent) of they have continued to participate in their the respondents say they are using digital existing online communities. This harks back tools to keep in touch with their family and to pre-pandemic trends, where according to a friends. One in every five (20 percent) of 2009 internet survey, Indian internet users youth respondents report becoming a are more likely to make friends online than their part of a new digital community during global counterparts.30

Total 20 31 35 45

Prefer not to say 22 44 33

Male 21 36 43

Female 20 35 46

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Yes I continue being an active part of my older digital communities No

FIGURE 28: SINCE THE LOCKDOWN HAVE YOU BECOME PART OF ANY NEW DIGITAL COMMUNITIES? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 50 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

The most common digital communities that youth friends and family, followed by communities have joined since the lockdown are centred around related to work, hobbies and passions.

35 33

30 29 30 29

21 20 20 18 18 18 18 17

15 15 14 14

11 12 12 10 10 8 7

0 Female Male Prefer not to say Total

Digital communities based on friends and family Digital communities based on hobbies and passions

Digital communities based on work Digital communities are random and new Other

FIGURE 29: PLEASE SELECT THE TYPE OF DIGITAL COMMUNITIES THAT YOU HAVE ENGAGED WITH DURING THE LOCKDOWN: (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100% AS RESPONDENTS COULD SELECT MULTIPLE ANSWER OPTIONS. MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 51

Crises often inspire people to contribute. During to the crisis. Slightly more male respondents the lockdown, 47 percent of respondents say they report having made contributions than female have contributed to initiatives aimed at responding respondents, at 51 and 45 percent, respectively.

70 67

60 57 56 55 53 53 51 51 49 49 50 47 47 45 44 43 40

0 Female Male Prefer not Total Female Male Prefer not Total to Say to Say 18-25 Years 26-32 Years

Yes No

FIGURE 30: HAVE YOU CONTRIBUTED TO GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES, NGOS AND CITIZEN GROUPS WHO ARE HELPING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS? (%) 52 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

The most common contributions that youth have donations, at 63 percent. This is followed by made in response to COVID-19 is in the form of helping in relief efforts.

Money donation, 63

Running awareness Creating awareness campaigns through art (audio/ through Helping organise video, painting, social relief materials, 11 etc.), 10 Other, 8 media, 8

FIGURE 31: THE TYPES OF CONTRIBUTIONS YOUTH HAVE MADE IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS (%) MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS 53

Youth are worried about many aspects of the nearly one-third of respondents (28 percent) pandemic and its impacts on their lives and the increased amount of household work is the society. Unsurprisingly, their greatest worry right hardest. Twenty-three percent say that not being now is that they or someone they care about able to see a doctor for something other than will contract the virus. Twenty-eight percent of COVID-19 is a major difficulty. This points to the the respondents are also worried about having over-strained health system in the context of the access to healthcare in case they do fall ill. pandemic, and the fact that many healthcare The hardest thing, according to the youth providers have closed their doors. Two of every respondents, is the insecurity. Four of every ten ten (20 percent) of the respondents say that the (40 percent) of the respondents report that not biggest challenge is not having adequate finances being able to socialise is the most difficult. For to pay their bills.

Insecurity about my future 54

Not being able to socialise/go outside 40

Increased household work 28

Not being able to visit a doctor for my 23 other conditions besides COVID-19

Being unable to buy essential items 21

Paying bills/rent 20

Providing for my family and keeping them safe 18

Being in lockdown with my family/ significant other 13

None of the above 6

Other 5

Childcare while working from home 4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

FIGURE 32: THE HARDEST THING FOR ME RIGHT NOW IS (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT AS RESPONDENTS WERE ABLE TO SELECT MORE THAN ONE ANSWER OPTION. 54 MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Following worries about getting sick, 54 percent Social concerns are also abundant: 43 percent of the respondents report being worried about of the respondents worry that they will not be an economic recession. One-quarter of the able to lead a normal life after the lockdown; 21 respondents report being worried about losing percent are worried about their social life; and 17 their job, and 37 percent say they are worried percent about the impacts of the lockdown on about not having enough money. their romantic life.

Getting the coronavirus myself or 60 60 someone I care about getting it 59 54 An economic recession 56 51

Not being able to lead a normal life 43 after the lockdown 43 43 37 Not having enough money 37 38

Not having access to health care if I 28 27 or someone I care about got sick 29 25 Losing my job 28 22 21 Impact on my social life 21 22 The impact of the lockdown on my 17 romantic life 16 19 12 Falling behind in my studies 3 24 6 Other 5 8 3 None of the above 3 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Total 25-32 Years 18-25 Years

FIGURE 33: WHAT ARE YOU MOST WORRIED ABOUT? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AS RESPONDENTS WERE ABLE TO SELECT MORE THAN ONE ANSWER OPTION.

SECTION 5 GOVERNANCE AND TRUST

rust in government will be a respondents about their views on the availability key determinant in the efficacy of and sources of information during the lockdown. India’s response to the pandemic. It also asked respondents their views on the Furthermore, successful pandemic necessity of the lockdown and whether they managementT in a country of 1.3 billion people are following official guidelines. Moreover, will also hinge on the strict adherence to the respondents were asked to gauge their prevention and safety guidelines. This is level of trust in the government in only possible with widespread access to responding to the crisis. Finally, the survey accurate information. asked respondents to comment on what they think is most needed right now to With this in mind, the youth lockdown survey asked mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. GOVERNANCE AND TRUST 57

The pandemic has been marked by an onslaught and how to stay safe. There are differences, of information and misinformation, often making however, in youth assessments of the availability it difficult to follow proper safety precautions.31 of accurate information by city. Nearly Across the cities surveyed, 87 percent of the one-third (27 percent) of the respondents in respondents feel that they have enough accurate Kolkata report feeling they do not have sufficient information about COVID-19, how it spreads, information.

100

8 8 11 11 13 13 90 27 80

89 87 92 92 73 89 87 40

0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Yes No

FIGURE 34: DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS, HOW IT SPREADS AND HOW TO STAY SAFE? (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 58 GOVERNANCE AND TRUST

During the crisis, respondents have turned to organisation websites. Just five percent of non-government sources of information, with the respondents say that their main source 36 percent following private media houses of information is foreign media. and 30 percent following foreign health

37 Private media houses (online, TV, 32 radio, print) 46 36

30 Foreign health organisation 32 websites (CDC, NHS, WHO, etc.) 26 30

20 20 Government Radio and TV 16 20

6 Foreign media (online, TV, print, 5 radio) 4 5

3 Other 3 1 3

2 3 WhatsApp 4 3

2 Twitter 4 2 2

1 Word of mouth 1 1 1

0 TikTok 0 0 0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Female Male Prefer not to specify Total

FIGURE 35: WHAT IS YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS? (%) GOVERNANCE AND TRUST 59

Respondents confirmed earlier findings that the symptoms of the coronavirus they would first call population has a relatively high level of trust the state helpline. One in every ten (10 percent) of in medical advice from health workers and the the respondents say they would call a doctor, nine government.32 Despite government sources percent say they would quarantine at home, seven being the third highest source of information on percent say they would go to the hospital, and just the pandemic, 72 percent of respondents report two percent say they do not know what they are that if someone in their household exhibited supposed to do.

100 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 6 7 7 8 6 10 7 90 5 7 7 10 11 9 8 10 80 7 6 9 14 10

70 13

40 77 75 71 79 65 71 72 30

0 Bengaluru Chennai Delhi NCR Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Total

Call the COVID-19 helpline number of my state Call a doctor Stay at home/ Self quarantine

Go to the hospital I don’t know what I am supposed to do

FIGURE 36: IF I OR SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS I WOULD: (%)

NOTE: RESPONSES MAY NOT ADD UP TO ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE OF ROUNDING. 60 GOVERNANCE AND TRUST

Respondents are in agreement about the Following the view that the lockdown was necessity of the lockdown for keeping people necessary for preventing the spread of the safe and reducing the spread of the virus. virus, 93 percent of the respondents say Overall, 96 percent of the respondents think the that they have followed the guidelines. lockdown was necessary.

Total 4 96

Mumbai 3 97

Kolkata 4 22 44 96

Hydrabad 5 95

21 36 Delhi NCR 4 96

Chennai 4 96

Bengaluru 4 96

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

No Yes

FIGURE 37: DO YOU THINK THE LOCKDOWN IS NECESSARY FOR REDUCING THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS? (%) GOVERNANCE AND TRUST 61

Trust in the government’s ability to respond Government’s ability to deal with the crisis is lowest effectively to the crisis is high: 39 percent of in Kolkata, where 22 percent of respondents the respondents say that they strongly agree disagree or strongly disagree. Somewhat with the following statement: “I trust the surprisingly, 46 percent of respondents in Government in addressing the coronavirus.” Mumbai – the city that hardest hit, at the time of 13 percent say that they disagree or strongly writing this report, by the pandemic—strongly disagree with the same statement. Trust in the agree.

Total 39 49 9 4

Mumbai 46 46 8 3

Kolkata 24 54 15 7

Hydrabad 46 46 7 0

Delhi NCR 42 47 8 3

Chennai 27 61 9 3

Bengaluru 43 48 6 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

FIGURE 38: HOW MUCH DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT: I TRUST THE GOVERNMENT IN ADDRESSING THE CORONAVIRUS. (%) 62 GOVERNANCE AND TRUST

The response to the pandemic has been diverse, which countries India should take lessons from, with each country offering a unique response. respondents turned towards East Asia, and are of Some countries’ responses can offer India lessons the opinion that India should look towards South in managing its domestic outbreak. When asked Korea, China and Japan.

Other 28

South Korea 22

China 14

Japan 10

Italy 9

Germany 6

Taiwan 5

United States of America 4

United Kingdom 1

Spain 0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

FIGURE 39: WHICH COUNTRY DO YOU THINK INDIA SHOULD TAKE LESSONS FROM IN FIGHTING THE CORONAVIRUS? (%) GOVERNANCE AND TRUST 63

Access to basic necessities and more testing offs of opening the economy and the potential are the two areas that respondents say more impacts on people’s health, just 12 percent of government action is needed right now. Despite youth view the economy as the main area that an ongoing international debate about the trade- needs attention right now.

80 74 71 70

40 39

30 24 20 20 14 13 12 10

1 0 Ensuring More Greater More Better Better Maintaining Actions to Others everyone testing public-private investment care for financial and save the has access cooperation in healthcare healthcare help to extending economy to basic in the infrastructure providers poor the lockdown necessities production families period of medical equipment

FIGURE 40: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST NEEDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW? (%)

SECTION 6 CONCLUSION

his study set out to understand the parts of the populations have not yet made the implications of India's lockdown--one digital transition.33 As schools remain shut for the of the world's strictest―on the country's foreseeable future, addressing the potentially youth. Although the sample size of 4,599 increasing gaps in learning outcomes is a must. isT not representative of the country’s entire urban Disparities in internet access, access to devices, youth population, the findings offer a policy-relevant and spaces for learning, along with different glimpse into the impacts of the lockdown. capacities and resources among teachers are threatening to foment even greater inequality. India’s lockdown imposed extraordinary and unprecedented restrictions on movement, and in Moreover, the lockdown has accelerated the trend turn forced entire systems to close or go virtual. towards remote work which was already underway While India’s largest cities have the highest internet in India before the pandemic. As the economy penetration rates in the country, considerable begins to re-open, some of the workplace 66 CONCLUSION

changes seen in the previous weeks are likely to space, and simultaneously provide ease of access remain. Ensuring that remote and digital working to those who are seeking help. Policymakers must solutions are equitable, sustainable, and will work with community-led initiatives and build protect the rights and wellbeing of workers should their capacities to prevent its own public health be a priority for employers and the state. infrastructure from becoming overburdened. It must work with education institutions and The pandemic has thrown light on the dismal state companies to inculcate mental health guidelines of social protections in India. Just 19 percent of the within its human resource framework. population is covered by health insurance,34 and most social security programs cover only the formal The government has largely gained the trust of sector workers, who account for just 10 percent India’s urban youth in responding effectively to the of the workforce. The lack of access to health crisis. As the virulence of the pandemic increases, insurance, paid sick leave and unemployment the possibilities of more lockdowns exist, and insurance among most workers in India are likely lessons can be drawn from current experiences to to hinder the nation’s response and recovery from help the country prepare for those that will follow. the crisis. Times of upheaval present opportunities for change, and new social protection frameworks The following paragraphs summarise the key are needed that ensure universal healthcare, and findings of this study: greater social protection coverage. Remote learning is still remote for many: One- Like in many other countries that have experienced third of the respondents have not been able to strict confinement measures, India’s youth are continue their studies during the lockdown. A experiencing feelings of fear, loneliness and majority (69 percent) of the respondents confirmed mental anguish. The mental health impacts of the that their educational institutions have made ongoing crisis and lockdown measures are real.35 provisions for them. However, many students will The economic and emotional stress coupled with struggle, due to the lack of available hardware – restrictions on movement have also led to rising just 11 percent of households have a computer,36 cases of domestic violence around the world. It quiet spaces to learn, and capacity and resources is important to underscore the negative mental for their teachers and education institutions. health impact on gender minorities, which has been exhibited through the survey and require Many youth are sitting idle: A quarter of employed further analysis. respondents are sitting idle as their job does not permit remote working. Sixteen percent of youth The pandemic necessitates rapid and drastic report that their work hours have been reduced, reform in India’s mental health response. India 14 percent say that their wages have been must build on the momentum following the cut, and seven percent say that they have been adoption of mental health legislation in 2017, forced to take unpaid leave. Five percent of and as pledged, guarantee treatment to those respondents say that they have lost their job suffering from mental illness. Taking cognisance because of the crisis. As businesses begin to re- of the impending digital transition, it must also open and life slowly starts to return to the streets, build the capacities of psychiatrists and other the impacts on employment will likely be long- mental health professionals to adapt to the virtual lasting. CONCLUSION 67

Social Protections – Family First: While just 31 report becoming part of a new digital community percent of employed youth have health insurance, during the lockdown. 66 percent of respondents think that they would have adequate access to healthcare if they needed The Information Universe: India’s youth feel it right now. This is revealing of the nature of social that they have sufficient accurate information: insurance in India, which depend heavily on family. Information campaigns seem to be working with Similarly, despite widespread disruptions to global regard to how people should respond if someone supply chains and shortages of medical equipment in their household gets sick. Seventy-two and hospital beds, 91 percent of respondents are percent of youth respondents said that they optimistic about the availability and accessibility of would call the state helpline if someone in their basic necessities. household exhibited symptoms of COVID-19. Moreover, 87 percent of respondents reported Feeling Down in the Lockdown – Seeking Digital feeling that they have enough accurate Lights: More than one-third (37 percent) of the information on COVID-19, how it spreads, respondents say that they feel their mental health and how to stay safe. Youth are primarily has been strongly affected by the lockdown. relying on non-government news Even though 71 percent of the respondents sources such as private domestic media, and are spending the lockdown with their family, foreign and international health organisation 65 percent stated that they are either lonely or websites such as WHO and the CDC. very lonely. More alarmingly, 21 percent of youth respondents say that they do not feel safe from In Government we Trust: Youth are optimistic about physical and emotional harm at home during the government’s ability to respond effectively to the lockdown. During these times of uncertainty, the pandemic, with 88 percent of the respondents India’s youth are turning online for entertainment either agreeing or strongly agreeing with the and connection. Seventy-eight percent of youth statement: I trust the Government in addressing are keeping themselves occupied with activities the coronavirus. Furthermore, the respondents such as listening to music, reading, listening to agree with the government’s lockdown measures, podcasts, watching series and watching movies. with 96 percent of them saying that they view the Furthermore, 20 percent of youth respondents lockdown as a necessary measure. ENDNOTES

1 “Primary Census Abstract”. 2011. Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed on 22 June 2020. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/pca_highlights/pe_ data.html 2 UNESCO. “Education: From Disruption to Recovery.” https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse. 3 “Primary Census Abstract”. 2011. Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed on 22 June 2020. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/pca_highlights/pe_ data.html 4 Due to rounding, these numbers don’t add up to one hundred percent. 5 Barboni, Giorgia, Erica Field, Rohini Pande, Natalia Rigol, Simone Schaner, and Charity Troyer Moore. 2020. “A Tough Call: Understanding Barriers To And Impacts Of Women’S Mobile Phone Adoption In India”. https://epod.cid.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2018-10/A_Tough_Call.pdf. 6 UNESCO. “Education: From Disruption to Recovery.” https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse 7 ibid. 8 UNESCO. “UNESCO COVID-19 Education Issue note.” https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/ issuenotes 9 Winthrop, Rebecca. 2020. “Top 10 Risks And Opportunities For Education In The Face Of COVID-19”. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2020/04/10/top-10-risks-and- opportunities-for-education-in-the-face-of-covid-19/. 10 Kaka, Noshir, Anu Madgaykar, Alok Kshirsagar, Rajat Gupta, James Manyika, Kushe Bahl, and Shishir Gupta. 2019. “Digital India: Technology To Transform A Connected Nation”. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/ media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/McKinsey%20Digital/Our%20Insights/Digital%20India%20 Technology%20to%20transform%20a%20connected%20nation/MGI-Digital-India-Report-April-2019. ashx. 11 “Key Indicators Of Household Social Consumption On Education In India”. 2019. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. Accessed 22 June 2020. A-74. http://mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/ publication_reports/KI_Education_75th_Final.pdf 12 Barboni, Giorgia, Erica Field, Rohini Pande, Natalia Rigol, Simone Schaner, and Charity Troyer Moore. 2020. “A Tough Call: Understanding Barriers To And Impacts Of Women’S Mobile Phone Adoption In India”. https://epod.cid.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2018-10/A_Tough_Call.pdf. 13 “ILO Monitor: COVID-19 And the World Of Work. Second Edition”. 2020. International Labour Organisation. Accessed 22 June 2020 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/ briefingnote/wcms_740877.pdf. 14 Dominic Rushe, Lauren Aratani and Amanda Holpuch, “36m Americans Now Unemployed as 3m file for benefits,”The Guardian, May 14 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/14/ unemployment-us-data-coronavirus 15 Holly Ellyatt, “UK Jobless Claims Jumped 70% In April as the Coronavirus Hit Employment”. CNBC, May 17, 2020, https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/19/uk-jobless-claims-rise-by-70percent-in-april-to-2point1- million.html. 16 Yogima Seth Sharma, “Unemployment rate in India at 24% for week ending May 17: CMIE”, The Economic Times, May 19, 2020. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/unemployment- rate-in-india-at-24-for-the-week-ended-may-17-cmie/articleshow/75821968.cms 17 “Informal employment (% of total non-agricultural employment)”. 2020. ILOSTAT database. Accessed 22 June 2020. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.ISV.IFRM.ZS?locations=IN 18 “COVID-19 Projections”. 2020. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Accessed 22 June 2020. https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america 19 “Lifting lockdowns does not signal the end of COVID-19: WHO Chief”. 2020. UN News. https://news. un.org/en/story/2020/04/1062172 20 Sreemoyee Chatterjee, “150 million adult Indians suffer from mental disorder: NMHS”, Times of India, October 24, 2016, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/150-million-adult-Indians-suffer-from-mental- disorder-NMHS/articleshow/55036009.cms 21 Gowda, Mahesh, A Jagadish, and Furkhan Ali. 2019. “Mental Healthcare Act 2017 – The Way Ahead: Opportunities And Challenges”. Indian Journal Of Psychological Medicine 41 (2): 113. doi:10.4103/ijpsym. ijpsym_38_19. 22 “Coping with Stress”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 22 June 2020. https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html 23 “Violence and Disasters”. 2005. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/violence_injury_ prevention/publications/violence/violence_disasters.pdf 24 Haley Ott, “Calls to U.K. domestic abuse hotline up 25% since start of coronavirus lockdown”, CBS News, April 6, 2020, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-news-domestic-abuse-calls-to-uk- national-hotline-up-since-start-of-lockdown/ 25 “COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls”. 2020. UN Women. https://www.unwomen. org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/issue-brief-covid-19-and- ending-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf?la=en&vs=5006 26 “Violence and Disasters”. 2005. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/violence_injury_ prevention/publications/violence/violence_disasters.pdf 27 It is important to call attention to the possibility that some respondents may have been responding to the fear of the coronavirus itself here, potentially leading to overestimates of feeling unsafe. 28 Dos Santos, Catherine Shugrue, and Chanel Lopez. 2015. “ Trans and gender non-conforming people of color need us to do more “. Vera Institute of Justice. https://www.vera.org/blog/beyond-innocence/ trans-and-gender-non-conforming-people-of-color-need-us-to-do-more-1 29 Thompson, Laura H., Sumit Dutta, Parinita Bhattacharjee, Stella Leung, Anindita Bhowmik, Ravi Prakash, Shajy Isac, and Robert R. Lorway. 2019. “Violence And Mental Health Among Gender-Diverse Individuals Enrolled In A Human Immunodeficiency Virus Program In Karnataka, South India”. Transgender Health 4 (1): 316-325. doi:10.1089/trgh.2018.0051. 30 Deepshikha Monga, “India, China smarter at online friendship”, The Economic Times, April 1, 2009, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-china-smarter-at-online- friendship/articleshow/4343709.cms?from=mdr 31 Samir Saran, “Coronavirus is travelling to countries and so is misinformation around it. It’s an infodemic” The Print, March 14, 2020. https://theprint.in/opinion/coronavirus-is-travelling-to-countries-and-so-is- misinformation-around-it-its-an-infodemic/381062/ 32 Lance Stevens and RJ Reinhart, “COVID-19 Lockdown Depends on Trust in Institutions”, Gallup, April 1, 2020, https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/305816/india-covid-lockdown-depends-trust-institutions. aspx 33 “The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators: July-September, 2018”. 2019. Telecom Authority of India https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PIR08012019.pdf 34 “Key Indicators of Social Consumption in India: Health (July 2017-June 2018)”. 2019. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. http://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/ KI_Health_75th_Final.pdf 35 “Mental health and psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic”. 2020. World Health Organisation. Accessed 22 June 2020. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/ coronavirus-covid-19/news/news/2020/3/mental-health-and-psychological-resilience-during-the-covid- 19-pandemic. 36 “Key Indicators of Social Consumption in India: Health (July 2017-June 2018)”. 2019. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. http://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/ KI_Health_75th_Final.pdf