The Economic Pulse of the World - November 2014

Cautiously Looking Into the Future

Perceptions of the current economic situation around the world are improving slightly this month, with four in 10 (41%) respondents rating their national economy as good. The local economy assessment holds steady, as does optimism for the near future: just one in 4 (24%) respondents expect the economy in their local area to be stronger six months from now – down one point since last sounding.

Latin America is the only region gaining ground in all three assessment categories this wave (national +5%, local +2%, future local +4%). There is no change in the future economic outlook for North America, with both national (+3%) and local (+2%) assessments on the uptick.

The downward trend continues for the G8 countries, with losses across the board (national -1%, local -1%, future local -1%). Driving this trend is the European powerhouse Germany, recording the biggest drop in the local economic assessment (down 10%) since April 2014.

Despite modest gains last month, the average is down in all three categories for the Asia-Pacific region (national -2%, local -2%, future local -2%).

Global Average of National Economic Assessment Up One Point: 41%

After holding steady for two months, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 24 countries is up one point as 41% of global citizens rate their national economies to be ‘good’.

Saudi Arabia (87%) remains at the  top of the national economic assessment, followed by India (80%), Egypt (76%), Germany (75%), China (70%), and Sweden (67%). At the bottom of the assessment, only a fistful rate their national economy as good in France (7%) and Spain (7%), followed by Italy (8%), Romania (12%%), South Korea (14%) and Japan (20%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave:  Egypt (76%, +8 pts.), Australia (65%, +7 pts.), Mexico (29%, +7 pts.), Hungary (23%, +7 pts.), the United States (42%, +6 pts.) and Brazil (32%, +6pts.).

Countries with the greatest declines: Sweden (67%, -10 pts.), Russia (47%, -6 pts.), Germany (75%, -4 pts.), China (70%, -4 pts.), Turkey (43%, -4pts) and South Africa (22%, -4 pts.).

Global Average of Local Economic Assessment (29%) Unchanged

When asked to assess their local economies, 29% agree the state of the current economy in their local area is ‘good,’ on the global aggregate level. The local economic assessment remains unchanged since last sounding.

Saudi Arabia (62%) leads the local economy assessment ratings, followed by India (53%), China (51%), Canada (48%), Sweden (48%), Germany (47%) and Australia (42%). Spain (9%), once again, has the last place in the assessment, followed by France (11%), Italy (11%), Japan (11%), South Korea (12%), Romania (13%) and Hungary (15%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Argentina (20%, +5 pts.), Turkey (36%, +3 pts.), the United States (33%, +3 pts.), Hungary (15%, +3 pts.) and Romania (13%, +3pts.).

Countries with the greatest declines: Sweden (48%, -11 pts.), Germany (47%, -10 pts.), China (51%, -5 pts.), Russia (30%, -5 pts.) and South Korea (12%, -2 pts.).

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

After holding steady for several months, the future outlook average slips one point, as one quarter (24%) of global citizens expect their local economy will be stronger six months from now.

India (69%) once again retains the top spot in the future outlook assessment rating. The rest of the highest-ranking countries are: Brazil (64%), Egypt (50%), Saudi Arabia (48%), China (37%), Mexico (32%) and Argentina (31%).  France (4%) remains at the bottom of the pack, followed by Italy (10%), Belgium (10%), South Korea (10%), Japan (10%), Romania (12%) and Spain (13%).

Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Brazil (64%, +7 pts.), the United States (27%, +6 pts.), Hungary (16%, +3 pts.), Sweden (16%, +3 pts.), Mexico (32%, +2 pts.), Poland (17%, +2 pts.), France (4%, +2 pts.) and Turkey (23%, +1 pts.).

Countries with the greatest declines: Spain (13%, -7 pts.), Saudi Arabia (48%, -4 pts.), China (37%, -4 pts.), Canada (14%, -4 pts.), Germany (14%, -4 pts.) and South Africa (15%, -3 pts.).