As much as 70 per cent of Indian youth are satisfied with their financial situation compared to just 23 per cent in European Union, according to a global survey carried out by Sweden-based Kairos Future, a futures research and consulting firm.

On the job front, 78 per cent are certain of landing up in a good job in the future while only 42 per cent of the Europeans believe in the same. Moreover, only 23 per cent of those in Europe are satisfied with their financial situation.

Giving a thumbs up for globalisation, 82 per cent Indians see it as an opportunity even as 73 per cent want to protect their national industry. Surprisingly, only 40 per cent of European Union people accept globalisation as an opportunity and only 46 per cent feel strongly for their country's industry.

 Further, 74 per cent Indians consider that certain brands are important to express their identity compared to just 23 per cent people from the European Union.

When it comes to buying products from companies which are ethical and socially responsible, 78 per cent Indians believe in that concept in comparison with 22 per cent from their European counterparts.

"Indians are the happiest in the world but long for higher living standards. For instance, about 83 per cent Indians are satisfied with their lives while it is only 66 per cent for the European Union people," said Mats Lindgren, CEO of Kairos Future Group while releasing the survey titled 'Indian Youth in a Global Context' here today.

However, 77 per cent Indians feel they can never afford to buy what they really want while only 41 per cent people from the European feel the same way.

Describing Indians as 'fame-oriented materialists', the survey says that about 87 per cent believe in God and pray regularly. "This is a very high figure compared to European Union and even China," Lindgren added.

The web-based study included over 22,000 responses from 16-29 year old and 30-50 year old people spread across 17 countries in Europe, North America and Asia.