The Autumn Economic Pulse: Gloom Reigns
As the Chancellor delivers his Autumn Statement, new research released today finds just 15% of Britons believing their economy to be in "good" shape, with only 10% expecting to see an improvement over the next 6 months.
As the Chancellor delivers his Autumn Statement, new research released today finds just 15% of Britons believing their economy to be in “good” shape, with only 10% expecting to see an improvement over the next 6 months.
The Ipsos Global Advisor poll of 24 countries finds the UK – and other European economies – remaining at the foot of the global economic confidence league table.
Indeed, the UK’s 15% places it ahead of a number of its European neighbours. In France and Italy only 6% say their economies are in a “good state”, while Hungary scores 4% and Spain 3%. Japan also records scores more in line with many European countries, with just 9% positive.
At the other end of the spectrum is Sweden, which has seen a 7 percentage point boost over the last month, with 72% of Swedes now positive about the state of their economy.
The results in Germany are positive, although not as bright as they have been. Germany’s 60% “good” rating remains far ahead of most of its neighbours. However, this marks an 8 point fall on last month’s result. Similarly, the 11% of Germans who expect to see their economy improve over the next 6 months is the lowest level recorded this year.
The Ipsos Global Average rating of national economic confidence stands at 36%, which is the most pessimistic reading since the 2008/9 crash. In the “BRIC” countries, 51% give a positive economic assessment, and in The Middle East and Africa the score is 50% - far ahead of Europe’s 24%.
By country, it is Saudi Arabian citizens who are most positive of all, with 79% saying their economy is in a “good”state. This is followed by Sweden (72%) and Canada. As Mark Carney prepares to leave for London, 68% of Canadians give their economy a positive bill of health.
Ipsos Global @dvisor 38: The economic pulse of the world: November 2012 from Ipsos
Simon Atkinson, Assistant Chief Executive at Ipsos said:
“For anyone sitting in London, Paris, Madrid or Rome, this is a truly dreary set of results. Economic confidence has flatlined at a very low level, with consumers showing few signs that they think things will change any time soon.”
