Since 1977, WIN association has been conducting a survey of global happiness, hope and economic optimism. This year the survey, which is conducted with partner agencies including Mediana in Slovenia and Croatia, was conducted in 55 countries around the world.
Economic pessimism won at last
In spite of the positive trend in Slovenia (index of optimism +5), the global average has fallen into red numbers after two years of positive indices (23 in 2015, and 20 in 2016), to an index of -2.28% because that much of the world population views the economic future positively, while 30% have a negative attitude. The most pessimistic states are Italy (index -50), Greece (-42) and Turkey (-40). The index of economic pessimism is exceptionally high among the EU member states, as the average index here is -16.
On the other hand, Nigeria (+59), Vietnam (+55), Indonesia (+53), and even India (+46) are among the most economically optimistic countries. Eastern Asia is the most optimistic among all regions of the world with an optimism index of +16, while the US with its index of -3 is approaching the opinion of the EU citizens.
Among Slovenia’s neighbors, besides the already mentioned Italy, Croats (-26) and Austrians (-5) have the most pessimistic view of the economic future.
Hope remains
Almost 40% of the world’s population believes that 2018 will be better than the previous year, which sounds optimistic, although 52% of respondents back in 2015 were forecasting a better 2016. The index of hope thus fell from 37 in 2016, to just 16 in 2017. 23% of respondents expect a worse year, while 32% believe 2018 will be similar to 2017.
In assessing hope, Indonesia is among the victorious countries with a hope index of +66, Southeast Asia is generally a region filled with hope (+51). Among the optimistic countries we can also find Nigeria (+64), Fiji (+57), Bangladesh and India (both with index 51). In the entire Europe, the share of optimists is equal to the share of pessimists, which means that the index is exactly 0, while in the EU index is +5. It is interesting that more hopeful citizens are found in the poorer countries, where the prospect of progress is greater.
While in countries close to Slovenia the index is somewhere quite high (Albania 43 and Kosovo 40), on the other hand, the most pessimistic country in the world is Italy (-41). The index is also low in Bosnia and Herzegovina (-18). With an index of +16 Croatia is somewhat optimistic, but Slovenians are much more optimistic with an index of +31. About 42% of Slovenia’s population expects a better year and only 11% of them predict that the year will be worse than last year.
A less happy world in 2017
Are Slovenians happy? The happiness index is measured on a personal level by measuring the relationship between (very) happy and (very) unhappy people. Mediana found that Slovenians are still happy people. 62% of the population in Slovenia is Happy, only 6% of them are unhappy, which brings a happiness index of 56. The neighbors in Croatia have a happiness index of 48, Austrians 54, Italians 42, despite their negative view of the future and the lack of hope.
The happiest states are Fiji (92), Colombia (87), Philippines (84), Mexico (82) and Vietnam (77). The least happy are Iran (5), Iraq (7) and Ukraine (index 8). People of US and Russia are equally happy – both indexed at 50. Generally, 49% of the world’s population is happy, which is ten percent less than the previous year. The happiest are the inhabitants of South America.
Through a deeper analysis, team at WIN concluded that happiness is less dependent on the country in which we live, and more on our age, income, education and lifestyle.
Methodology
The Gallup International End of Year Survey (EoY) is an annual tradition initiated in 1977. This year it was carried out by the Gallup International Association in partnership with WIN in 55 countries around the world. The research included close to 54,000 people. Institute Mediana conducted the research in Slovenia and Croatia, on a representative sample of 500 people in November of 2017.
