Corruption is major worry for Indian, Chinese entrepreneurs: Legatum survey

New survey of more than 4,000 entrepreneurs in China and India sheds light on interesting similarities and differences among enterprising people in the world’s two most populous countries.

A new survey published by the Legatum Institute finds that business owners in China and India share the following: economic optimism for the future; beliefs that their country is welcoming of entrepreneurs; and, to some extent, perceptions that the global financial crisis has hampered seriously the prospects for new business.

The report, which is one of the largest surveys of entrepreneurs in the world, provides a good understanding of what entrepreneurs themselves think about business, government and the economy. It is published in full by the Legatum Institute on their website, www.li.com.

Key findings:

• 62% of respondents in China think China will be the biggest economic power in 20 years, and 48% in India think India will.
• Large majorities in both countries – 81% in China and 65% in India – believe they and their fellow citizens are more naturally entrepreneurial than other societies.
• A majority in both countries believe their lives will be significantly better in 5 years.
• Entrepreneurs in China are more likely to start a business to make more money, whereas Indian entrepreneurs are more likely to start a business for the independence it provides.
• Business owners in both countries place a greater value on improving the quality of life in their communities than senior managers who run companies they do not own.
• The biggest factor driving Indian entrepreneurs to start a business knows another entrepreneur (27%), while in China it’s what one learned at the university or in school (23 %).
• 63% of Indian entrepreneurs see corruption as a serious threat to business, compared to 53% in China. 46% in India say it is getting much worse, compared to 38% in China.

The Legatum Institute is an independent, non-partisan organisation that researches and advocates an expansive understanding of global prosperity. Prosperity comprises both material wealth and well-being and includes factors such as liberty, opportunity, security and overall human flourishing.