Survey: Finns look towards positive economic development in 2005

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Over half of Finns believe that the current year will be better than 2004, according to an end-of-year survey released by Gallup International. The annual survey was conducted in November and December in more than 65 countries and comprised interviews with 62,000 citizens across the world.
     
According to the poll, Finns are still more optimistic than most of the other Europeans. Among 17 European countries, only in Denmark, Norway, and Spain was the percentage of optimistic respondents larger than in Finland.
      In addition to general expectations, the respondents were asked about their views on the economic outlook for 2005. Only 13 % of Finns anticipated economic difficulties, whereas in a number of other European countries the mood was more pessimistic.
      For example, nearly half of German respondents expect the current year to be difficult, as huge unemployment is plaguing the country.
     
However, in the United States ordinary consumers do not appear to be concerned about the deficits in the national economy.
      About one third of US respondents believe that the year 2005 will be economically prosperous, and over 40 % believe that the economic situation will not change much from the previous year.
      Also in Russia a majority of respondents expect the economic situation to remain the same or even improve in 2005.
     
The respondents in various countries were also asked about unemployment.
      Almost one in five Finns believe that the number of jobless will decrease in the course of the current year. The figure is six percentage points larger than in the similar survey a year ago.
      Respectively, fewer respondents than previously believe that unemployment will increase in 2005. However, 38% of Finns believe that the number of jobless will rise either somewhat or considerably in 2005.
      Nevertheless, the corresponding figure in other European countries was even greater - as high as 50%.
      In Finland, the survey was conducted by TNS Gallup on the 3rd to 5th of December. The total number of respondents was 684 persons aged 15 to 74 years.


Links:
  Gallup International

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