Kosovo: World’s Most Optimistic Country

Kosovo heads the list of the most optimistic countries in the world, with 60 percent of people saying they expect 2009 to be a better year than 2008, according to a “People’s Voice” survey by pollster Gallup International.

Some 35 percent of a total 45,700 respondents from around the globe were pessimistic about the coming year, while only 27 percent expressed optimism, compared to 38 percent the previous year.

The main culprit for the fall in optimism is the global financial crisis, Gallup said, noting that 52 percent of all those surveyed expected 2009 to be associated with economic difficulties. Some 66 percent thought there would be more unemployment.

Kosovo formally declared independence from Serbia in February this year after almost nine years spent in political and economic limbo as a United Nations protectorate. Its people hope that the country’s gradual recognition by more states and its eventual entry into international organisations will woo investment, create jobs and boost economic growth and living standards.

However, so far independence has not provided the immediate relief many expected, making the people of Kosovo feel less hopeful now than they were in 2007, when some 68 percent expressed optimism about the future.

Source: Balkan Insight

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Posted by editor on Dec 19 2008. Filed under Kosovo, Region. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry