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Bilal Gilani on Hum News | New Year Resolution
January 1, 2026New Year Resolutions in Pakistan: A Gallup Pakistan Analysis (2011-2016)
This analytical report, drawing exclusively from Gallup Pakistan’s research, examines the trends and characteristics of New Year resolutions among the Pakistani population between 2011 and 2016. Gallup Pakistan, through its Gilani Research Foundation Surveys, has periodically monitored public opinion on this topic, providing valuable insights into the aspirations and self-perceived commitments of those who choose to make such resolutions.
It is important to note that the available Gallup Pakistan data on New Year resolutions specifically covers the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016.
Prevalence of New Year Resolution-Making in Pakistan
Gallup Pakistan data consistently indicates that an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis do not make New Year resolutions. This trend has been observed across multiple years of polling. For instance, in 2015, a significant 87% of Pakistanis stated they do not make New Year’s resolutions, with only 13% affirming that they do. This finding was consistent with previous years, where similar patterns were recorded.
Source: Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis does not make New Year’s resolutions. – Gallup Pakistan
Further data from Gallup Pakistan reinforces this observation:
- In 2016, 79% of Pakistanis claimed to have made no resolutions at the beginning of the new year, while 21% said they did.
- In 2013, 82% of respondents did not make resolutions, and 17% did. Another survey from the same year reported 80% claiming no resolution and 19% having some resolution.
Source: Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis does not make New Year’s resolutions. – Gallup Pakistan
- In 2012, 80% did not make resolutions, and 19% did.
Source: Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis does not make New Year’s resolutions. – Gallup Pakistan
- In 2011, 77% did not make resolutions, while 22% did.
Source: Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis does not make New Year’s resolutions. – Gallup Pakistan
This consistent pattern across the years for which data is available suggests that making New Year resolutions is not a widespread cultural practice among the majority of the Pakistani population. While there are minor fluctuations in the percentages of those who do make resolutions (ranging from 13% in 2015 to 22% in 2011), the overarching trend remains that a significant majority opts not to engage in this practice.
A summary of the prevalence of New Year resolution-making, as reported by Gallup Pakistan, is presented below:
| Year | Made Resolutions (%) | Made No Resolutions (%) |
| 2011 | 22% | 77% |
| 2012 | 19% | 80% |
| 2013 | 17% | 82% |
| 2015 | 13% | 87% |
| 2016 | 21% | 79% |
Source: Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis does not make New Year’s resolutions. – Gallup Pakistan
Nature and Content of New Year Resolutions
For the segment of the Pakistani population that does make New Year resolutions, Gallup Pakistan’s surveys reveal a diverse set of aspirations, often with a strong emphasis on religious, personal, and civic improvement. The content of these resolutions provides a window into the values and concerns of the resolution-making minority.
Dominance of Religious Connotations
Gallup Pakistan data from 2016 highlights a significant inclination towards religious resolutions. Among those who claimed to have made resolutions, 34% had religious connotations attached to their commitments. This category was further broken down:
- 15% resolved to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.
- 12% aimed to perform righteous acts.
- 7% committed to praying daily.
This strong emphasis on religious observance and spiritual betterment underscores the deep-rooted religious values prevalent in Pakistani society, even in the context of a secular tradition like New Year resolutions.
Personal Growth and Self-Improvement
Beyond religious aspects, a substantial portion of resolutions focused on personal growth and rectifying past errors. Gallup Pakistan’s surveys consistently show “not repeating past mistakes” as a prominent resolution. For example:
- In 2015, 13% of resolution-makers resolved not to repeat past mistakes.
- In 2013, this figure was 14%.
- In 2012, it was 16%.
- In 2011, 11% made this resolution.
Another recurring theme is the commitment to “do good things” or “perform righteous acts.” This was resolved by 12% in 2015, 16% in 2013, 17% in 2012, and 10% in 2011. The desire to “work more hardly” also appeared consistently, with 9% in 2015, 5% in 2013, 10% in 2012, and 5% in 2011.
Civic and National Aspirations
Gallup Pakistan’s research also reveals a notable, albeit smaller, proportion of resolutions directed towards broader societal and national well-being. In 2016, for instance:
- 3% aimed for peace in the country.
- 3% resolved to work for the provision of education.
- 3% committed to serving the nation.
- 4% said they would pray for the prosperity of the family and nation.
- 3% also mentioned working towards a better future.
These findings suggest that for some Pakistanis, New Year resolutions extend beyond personal betterment to encompass a desire for positive contributions to their community and country. The resolution to “serve the nation” was also observed in previous years, with 3% in 2015 and 2011, and 7% in 2012.
Year-on-Year Comparisons and Stability of Themes
Gallup Pakistan’s consistent polling on the content of New Year resolutions allows for an examination of how these aspirations have evolved or remained stable over time. While the overall percentage of Pakistanis making resolutions fluctuates, the thematic categories of these resolutions show some consistent patterns, particularly between 2011 and 2015, with 2016 offering a more detailed breakdown of religious and civic goals.
Comparing specific resolution types across the years 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 (as detailed in Source 5):
- Not Repeat Past Mistakes: This resolution consistently ranked high, showing percentages of 11% (2011), 16% (2012), 14% (2013), and 13% (2015). This indicates a sustained desire for self-reflection and improvement among resolution-makers.
- Do Good Things / Perform Righteous Acts: This category also remained a strong focus, with 10% (2011), 17% (2012), 16% (2013), and 12% (2015). The slight variation suggests a general commitment to positive actions.
- Do More Hard Work: This resolution saw some fluctuation, from 5% (2011) to 10% (2012), back to 5% (2013), and then 9% (2015). This suggests that while a desire for increased effort is present, its prominence varies year by year.
- Start Praying and Reciting the Holy Quran: Religious commitments were consistently present, with 11% (2011), 12% (2012), 9% (2013), and 3% (2015). The drop in 2015 for this specific resolution might be an outlier or reflect a shift in how religious resolutions were phrased or categorized in that particular survey compared to the broader “religious connotations” category in 2016.
- Serve the Nation: This civic-minded resolution appeared in 2011 (3%), 2012 (7%), and 2015 (3%). It was not explicitly listed for 2013 in the provided breakdown, but the 2016 data shows similar civic aspirations.
The 2016 data from Gallup Pakistan provides a more granular view of religious and civic resolutions, categorizing them under broader themes. For example, the 34% with “religious connotations” in 2016 encompasses specific acts like seeking forgiveness, performing righteous acts, and praying daily, which align with the “start praying and reciting the Holy Quran” and “do good things” resolutions seen in earlier years. Similarly, the 2016 resolutions for “peace in the country,” “provision of education,” and “serve the nation” resonate with the “serve the nation” theme from previous years.
This suggests that while the specific phrasing or categorization of resolutions might vary slightly across different Gallup Pakistan surveys, the underlying themes of religious devotion, personal improvement, and a sense of civic responsibility remain consistent among the minority of Pakistanis who choose to make New Year resolutions.
Interpretation and Implications
The consistent findings from Gallup Pakistan’s research between 2011 and 2016 indicate that New Year resolutions are not a widely adopted tradition in Pakistan. This could be attributed to various cultural, religious, or socio-economic factors that might prioritize other forms of personal or collective goal-setting, or simply a lack of engagement with this particular Western-influenced practice.
However, for the minority that does make resolutions, the data paints a picture of individuals focused on holistic improvement. The strong emphasis on religious resolutions suggests that spiritual growth is a primary concern for many. This is often intertwined with personal ethical conduct, as seen in resolutions to “perform righteous acts” and “not repeat past mistakes.” The recurring theme of “hard work” points to a desire for diligence and productivity, likely reflecting personal and economic aspirations.
Furthermore, the presence of resolutions related to national peace, education, and serving the nation indicates a segment of the population that views the New Year as an opportunity to commit to broader societal betterment. This suggests a sense of civic duty and hope for the country’s future, even if these aspirations are expressed by a smaller proportion of resolution-makers.
Gallup Pakistan’s data, therefore, provides a nuanced understanding: while the practice of making New Year resolutions is not universal in Pakistan, for those who engage in it, the resolutions are deeply reflective of personal values, religious beliefs, and a commitment to both individual and collective progress.
Conclusion
Based on the available Gallup Pakistan research from 2011 to 2016, it is evident that the tradition of making New Year resolutions is not prevalent among the majority of Pakistanis. Gallup Pakistan data consistently shows that between 77% and 87% of the population does not make such resolutions. However, for the minority who do, their resolutions are predominantly characterized by religious aspirations (e.g., seeking forgiveness, performing righteous acts, praying daily), personal improvement (e.g., not repeating past mistakes, doing good things, working harder), and a notable, though smaller, focus on civic and national betterment (e.g., aiming for peace, working for education, serving the nation).
These findings, derived solely from Gallup Pakistan’s Gilani Research Foundation Surveys, offer a unique perspective on the personal and societal commitments of the Pakistani populace during the New Year period. The consistency of these thematic categories across the surveyed years highlights enduring values within this segment of society.