2014: Anticipation for a New Year
On the heels of 2013, global respondents in 23 countries appear to be setting their sights to a brighter future in the coming year. A strong majority (76%) indicate they are optimistic that 2014 will be a better year for them than 2013, up three points from last year. Only half (53%) expect the global economy to be stronger in 2014 than 2013, though this figure reflects a four-point improvement on the global aggregate level from last year.
From a personal point of view, global citizens share that a strong majority of them (77%) have plans for specific New Year’s resolutions for 2014, down three points from last year. About half (53%) admit 2013 was a bad year for them and their families, up one point.
The findings reflect a new poll of 18,153 online respondents conducted as Ipsos’ Holiday Poll about technology and innovation. The results are being released as part of a free webinar on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 1:30pm EST.
Hopes for the Future
Three in four (76%) agree they are optimistic that 2014 will be a better year for them than it was in 2013, up three points from last year: 33% very much agree, 43% somewhat agree, 17% somewhat disagree and 7% very much disagree. Those most likely to agree they are optimistic that 2014 will be better are from: Indonesia (91%, -5pts), France (90%, +1pts), Brazil (89%, -5pts), India (88%, -3pts), and Argentina (86%, -5pts). Those least likely to agree are from: Italy (52%, -12pts), Japan (53%, -2pts), Poland (64%, -1pts), Sweden (68%, -4pts), and Germany (68%, unchanged).
A slim majority (53%) agrees the global economy will be stronger in 2014 than it was 2013, up four points from last year: 11% very much agree, 42% somewhat agree, 33% somewhat disagree, 14% very much disagree. Respondents in India (82%, +4pts), China (74%, +6pts), Indonesia (72%, -5pts), and Brazil (65%, -13pts) are most likely to agree while those from Italy (33%, +4pts), France (35%, +12pts), Sweden (39%, -4pts), Poland (41%, +12pts), and Belgium (42%, +15pts) are most likely to disagree.
Personal Point of View
A strong majority of global respondents (77%) agree they will make some personal resolutions to do some specific things for themselves or others in 2014, down three points from last year: 32% very much agree, 45% somewhat agree, 15% somewhat disagree, 8% very much disagree. People with specific New Year’s resolutions are most likely to hail from: Indonesia (92%, -3pts), Argentina (91%, -1pts), Turkey (91%, +2pts), Brazil (90%, +2pts), and South Africa (90%, +3pts). They are least likely to come from: Sweden (38%, -5pts), Hungary (56%, +8pts), Italy (66%, -15pts), Great Britain (68%, +2pts), and Japan (68%, -8pts).
About half (53%) admit 2013 was a bad year for them and their families, up one point from last year: 21% very much agree, 32% somewhat agree, 31% somewhat disagree, 16% very much disagree. Proportions of those who agree are considerably higher among respondents in: Spain (73%, +1pts), Argentina (70%, +9pts), Hungary (69%, -5pts), Mexico (67%, -4pts), and South Korea (66%, +1pts). They are considerably lower in: Sweden (37%, -14pts), Indonesia (41%, +6pts), Australia (42%, -4pts), China (43%, +8pts), Great Britain (43%, -3pts), and Japan (43%, +2pts).
