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Global poll of hope & despair

Published by: Richard Colwell

2014.01.08

A global poll conducted among almost 67,000 people in 65 countries shows an increase in international positivity, as 50% believe that 2014 will be a better year than 2013. The research also shows that the global economic outlook for 2014 is the most positive it had been in 25 years.

The story in Ireland diverges slightly from the rest of the world, with the country’s 2014 perspective less optimistic. While 31% feel that this year will be better than last, a slightly higher proportion believe it will be worse (34%). This pessimism is perhaps re-enforced by the below-Western-European-average happiness level, with only two in five claiming to be happy:

WIN-Gallup-International-EOY-Survey-Results

World Headlines

  • Despite a year of economic difficulty, almost 50% of people surveyed around the world are more positive about 2014 than they were for 2013;
  • US, Canada and Australia are the countries where most people would like to live if they could;
  • The US is considered to be the greatest threat to peace in the world, followed by Pakistan and China;
  • Over a third of those surveyed believe the world would be a better place if there were more female politicians;
  • Now in its 37th year WIN/Gallup International End of Year Survey finds that since 1989 people in general have a more positive outlook on economic prosperity for the coming year.

Irish Headlines

  • In Ireland the economic difficulties are a not-so-distant memory; leading to a more cautious outlook. While 31% feel 2014 will be better than 2013, 34% say it will be worse;
  • Over two in five people in Ireland (41%) state that they are happy, compared to 26% who state they are unhappy – below the Western Europe average;
  • US, Australia and Canada are the countries where most Irish people would like to live if they could;
  • The US is considered to be the greatest threat to peace in the world among those living in Ireland, followed by Afghanistan, North Korea and Syria;
  • Almost two in five (39%) of those surveyed in Ireland believe the world would be a better place if there were more female politicians;

 

Attached is a more detailed report outlining methodology, sample size and all results:
241213 EOY release 2013 Western Europe Ireland – final

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