PUBLIC confidence over the future prosperity and stability of the territory has dropped to the lowest this year, according to a government survey. According to the bi-monthly poll conducted by the Home Affairs Branch last month, 56 per cent of respondents said they were confident Hong Kong would continue to be prosperous and stable, which was lower than the figure recorded in September. The level of confidence collected in previous polls this year ranged from 57 to 61 per cent. Thirty-five per cent said they had no confidence. Similar to previous findings, the respondents said ways to boost confidence included better communication between the Government and the public as well as maintenance of good relations with China. The survey found 12 per cent of respondents admitted that they had plans to emigrate. The figure increased from nine per cent in January to 11 per cent in September. According to the survey, housing remained on top of a list of problems raised by the respondents.
