Poll finds surprising optimists (BBC's list of most optimistic countries)

[ECH1969]

Iraqis and Afghans are the among most optimistic people in the world when it comes to their economic future, a new survey for the BBC suggests. Italians join people in Zimbabwe and DR Congo as the most downcast about their future, according to the poll of 37,500 people in 32 nations.

In Afghanistan, 70% say their own circumstances are improving, and 57% believe that the country overall is on the way up.

In Iraq, 65% believe their personal life is getting better, and 56% are upbeat about the country's economy.

Among the six countries with unhappy majorities, Zimbabweans stand out as the most miserable lot. An overwhelming 90% of those interviewed say their country's economy is getting worse, and 84% are dubious about their own financial future.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4641396.stm
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Damn, look at France's numbers they are almost as pessimistic as the Congo. The US also has more pessimism then any of the Western European countries excpet France.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Given the current economic situation in France,

it's hard to see where optimism would come from. They are really stagnating quite badly. It's also interesting to note that Indonesia shows the biggest positive turnaround.

[ECH1969]

2. Indonesia didn't have much to be happy about last year

They hit rock bottom after the killer wave and it has been uphill since.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Maybe Iraqis feel it can't get much worse

so eventually things might get better.

[bananas]

5. "Been down so long it looks like up to me" nt

[Straight Shooter]

4. How do you go about conducting a survey in a war-torn country?

Seems to me the people most optimistic about their future would be the ones who actually believe they have a future.