MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine optimism rockets

Argentine public opinion that just a year ago was among the worlds most pessimistic now ranks sixteenth in optimistic expectations for 2003 according to a Gallup poll among 65 countries.

The Gallup poll indicates that 49% of Argentines believe 2003 will be better than 2002 while only 17% forecast that the situation will further deteriorate. A year ago Argentina stood in 62nd place out of 65, but now has rocketed to 16th.

Optimism is particularly extended, 55%, among the population under 35 and increases with the lower the level of education and social-economic standing.

The poll does not take into account the current economic situation of the countries involved but rather polls the feeling of its citizens.

Strangely enough the list of most optimistic includes countries that in the last twelve months have undergone critical situations, such as Kenya (number one), Nigeria (third place), Turkey (fourth place), and Egypt (eleventh place).

Gallup interviewed a total of 67,500 people in 65 countries, and specifically in Argentina 1,013 during last November and December.

However the Argentines that are pessimistic are the better educated, 33%; the elderly 29%; upper class 27%, and residents in the Capital and metropolitan Buenos Aires, 28%.

In Europe, Denmark and Sweden are the most optimistic countries, with Spain, Italy and Germany figuring in positions 31, 44 and 55.

In the Americas, United States citizens are the most optimistic together with Canada followed by Argentina, Colombia and Panama with Guatemala, Ecuador and Uruguay bottom of the list.

As usual New Zealand is the most optimistic country in the Asian-Pacific region and fifth in the 65 ranking.