The Economic Pulse of the World - July 2015

Furthermore, the tracked global average is at its highest point since October 2010. The uptick in the global index is seen in all regions of the world, most notably in Latin America (25%, +3 pts.) and North America (54%, +2 pts. driven by Canada).

For the first time since the beginning of this year, the local economic assessment posted a negative gain of two points, with only three in ten (30%) global respondents rating the economy in their local area as “strong”. With only a handful of countries posting positive numbers this wave, the regions most impacted by a decline are Middle East/Africa (40%, -4 pts.), BRIC (37%, -3 pts.) and Europe (26%, -3 pts.).

The future outlook on the local economy is in the negative territory as well, with one quarter (24%) of global respondents saying their local economy will be stronger in the next 6 months. Regions most pessimistic about future are: Middle East/Africa (25%, -5 pts.), BRIC (48%, -3 pts.) and G-8 countries (16%, -3 pts.).

Global Average of National Economic Assessment Up One Point: 42%

For the second month in a row, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 24 countries is up one point as 42% of global citizens rate their national economies to be ‘good’.

Saudi Arabia (91%) remains at the top of the national economic assessment , followed by India (83%), Germany (78%), China (72%), Sweden (66%), and Canada (65%). Very little change at the bottom of the assessment, as Italy (10%) is the lowest this month once again, followed by France (11%), Brazil (12%), South Korea (14%),  Spain (16%), South Africa (17%) and Hungary (17%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Turkey (38%, +6 pts.), Japan (36%, +6 pts.), Canada (65%, +5 pts.), Mexico (33%, +5 pts.), Germany (78%, +3 pts.), Israel (51%, +3 pts.), Spain (16%, +3 pts.), Brazil (12%, +3 pts.) and Belgium (46%, +2 pts.)

Countries with the greatest declines: Great Britain (49%, -6 pts.), Poland (29%, -4 pts.), China (72%, -3 pts.) and South Africa (17%, -3 pts.).

Global Average of Local Economic Assessment (30%) Down Two Points

When asked to assess their local economies, 30% agree the state of the current economy in their local area is ‘good,’ on the global aggregate level. The local economic assessment is down two points since last sounding.

Despite experiencing a significant decline since last sounding, Saudi Arabia (62%) still leads the local economic assessment by a narrow margin, followed by Israel (59%), China (58%), Germany (54%), Sweden (54%), India (53%), and Canada (40%). Once again, only a small minority (11%) rate their local economy as ‘good’ in Italy, followed by South Africa (12%), Spain (12%), France (13%), Hungary (13%), South Korea (13%) and Brazil (14%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Mexico (22%, +10 pts.), Israel (59%, +2 pts.), Argentina (21%, +2 pts.), Japan (18%, +2 pts.), France (13%, +2 pts.) and Belgium (26%, +1 pts.).

Countries with the greatest declines: Saudi Arabia (62%, -9 pts.), Sweden (54%, -8 pts.), Great Britain (34%, -8 pts.), Russia (24%, -8 pts.), South Africa (12%, -5 pts.), India (53%, -3 pts.), Poland (18%, -3 pts.) and Spain (12%, -3 pts.).

Global Average of Future Outlook for Local Economy (24%) Down One Point

The future outlook is down one point, as one in four (24%) global citizens expect their local economy will be stronger six months from now.

India (63%) has taken over the lead in this assessment category, followed by Saudi Arabia (58%), Brazil (53%), China (52%),  Argentina (36%), Mexico (30%), the United States (24%) and Russia (22%). For a third month in a row, only a small minority in France (5%) expect their local economy to be strong six months from now, followed by Hungary (10%), South Africa (10%), Israel (11%), Italy (12%), South Korea (12%), Belgium (14%) and Japan (15%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Sweden (16%, +8 pts.), Argentina (36%, +3 pts.), Brazil (53%, +2 pts.) and Germany (17%, +2pts.).

Countries with the greatest declines: Russia (22%, -11 pts.), Saudi Arabia (58%, -8 pts.), Israel (11%, -7 pts.), Great Britain (19%, -6 pts.), the United States (24%, -5 pts.), Turkey (20%, -5 pts.), India (63%, -3 pts.) and Spain (21%, -2 pts.).