Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and regulate our emotions as well as recognize and appropriately respond to the emotions in others. High emotional intelligence is linked to leadership skills, interpersonal relationships, and overall well-being, making it an essential skill for both personal and professional success. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the statistical data that support the need for increased emphasis on enhancing emotional intelligence not only in India but around the world.
Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is not a single skill in itself; it includes five different components. They are self-awareness (being aware of one’s emotions), self-regulation (managing one’s emotions), social skills (appropriate use of body language and verbal communication), empathy (the ability to understand other people’s perspectives and emotions), and motivation. Emotional intelligence can lead to improved personal and work relationships, increasing the chances for success.
Emotional Intelligence In The World
Six Seconds, a research organization that specializes in emotional intelligence, reports that global emotional intelligence scores have been steadily declining between 2019 and 2023. The total decline across 4 years has been up to 5.54%. This decline is seen in every aspect of emotional intelligence. This decline has contributed to a mental health crisis and social isolation for the Gen Z population. Burnout rates among employees have been increasing as well.
The same report also suggests that while emotional intelligence scores in men have declined since the pandemic, women’s scores on EI have continued to improve since 2021, suggesting that men might globally need support in increasing their EI
More global studies by Talentsmart (a provider for EQ Solutions) have revealed that 58% of a person’s job performance depends on their emotional intelligence, making it one of the strongest predictors of job performance. Research also suggests that 90% of top performers score high on emotional intelligence, while only 20% of low performers have high EI scores.
Emotional Intelligence In the Indian Context
There is limited research available on the statistics for emotional intelligence in India. However, the available research data advocates for the significance of EI but also presents some concerning trends. Let’s look at the research in depth.
Six Seconds, the EI research body mentioned in the previous section, has also published an emotional intelligence report for India in 2023. The report found that
- India’s current emotional intelligence score (as of 2023) stands at 98.2, which is lower than the global mean average of 100. Additionally, India’s mean emotional intelligence score fell by 2.4 points between the years 2016 and 2023, highlighting a significant decline in emotional intelligence. However, the fall in EI scores is consistent with the global decline in EI scores during this time
- This research also found that Indian women score better on EI as compared to Indian men. While Indian women have a mean score of 99.4 on EI, Indian men have a mean score of 97.3, suggesting that Indian women might be better at EI as compared to men.
- Additionally, this research also studied emotional intelligence across various age groups in the Indian population and found that young adults aged between 20 and 25 years exhibit higher emotional intelligence as compared to people aged between 26 and 45. The people between the ages of 36 and 45 seem to score the lowest on EI or EQ. However, EI increases in the Indian population after the age of 46 and reaches its peak at the age of 56.
Thus, current statistical data indicates that India scores low on EI as compared to the global average and that Indian men and middle-aged populations seem to have lower EI as compared to other age groups.
Conclusion
Emotional intelligence is no longer just an added skill; rather, it’s a necessity However, the current findings, both globally and in India, show a steady decline in EI scores among people, highlighting the need for more discussions and interventions to increase EI at a global level. India too needs to invest in enhancing EI awareness and education across population groups
References:
- Emotional Intelligence | Psychology Today. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/emotional-intelligence
- Miller, M. (2023, June 23). New Research: India’s Emotional Intelligence Paradox. Six Seconds. https://www.6seconds.org/2023/06/23/new-research-indias-emotional-intelligence-paradox/
- State of the Heart. (n.d.). Six Seconds. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.6seconds.org/emotional-intelligence/research/
