Chinese upbeat on economic outlook as rest of the world sees gloom
Japan the least hopeful among advanced countries, survey on prospects reveals
The Chinese are the most upbeat about their economic prospects while dissatisfaction runs highest in the world's most advanced economies, with the Japanese the least hopeful.
In the most advanced economies, 64 per cent say conditions are bad. In the United States, 58 per cent give the American economy poor marks.
The deepest despair was recorded in countries hit hardest by the European debt crisis: 97 per cent of Greeks, 96 per cent of Italians and 93 per cent of Spaniards said their economies were performing poorly. Unemployment rates are extraordinarily high in all three: 27 per cent in Greece, 13 per cent in Italy, 25 per cent in Spain.
China is among the notable exception to this pervasive gloom: 89 per cent of Chinese are positive about their country's economy, even though it has slowed markedly from the double-digit growth of a few years ago. In Vietnam, 87 per cent of respondents gave the economy high marks. In Germany, 85 per cent did.
In the countries that Pew characterises as "emerging economies", 59 per cent said conditions were unsatisfactory. Only in low-income "developing economies" did a majority (51 per cent) call economic conditions "good."
Brazil has seen the steepest drop in economic confidence: just 32 per cent of Brazilians were positive about their economy, down from 59 per cent in 2013.
Perceptions are improving in Britain: last year, just 15 per cent said the British economy was in good shape. This year, the figure had jumped to 43 per cent.
Eighty per cent of Chinese said their economy would be stronger in a year, making them the world's most optimistic people. Just 15 per cent of Japanese expected an improved economy next year.
People in advanced economies ranked high levels of government debt as the biggest economic problem, followed by rising prices, lack of jobs and the income gap between rich and poor.
