CSG as a member of the global research network, WIN/Gallup International, has today published WIN/Gallup International End of Year Survey exploring the outlook and the state of mind of people in the world from 65 countries/areas including the Hong Kong SAR.
The survey was conducted among 64,002 respondents globally in October and November, 2014. In Hong Kong, the survey covered 500 Hong Kong residents and the fieldwork period was 31 October-11 November, 2014.
Optimism spreads Globally except Europe and Hong Kong
From a global perspective, the survey shows that approximately half (53%) of those asked about 2015 think it will be better than 2014, up by 5% from last year. The number of those who think it will be worse has dropped by 5% to 15%.
Africa (75%) and Asia (63%) are the most optimistic about next year. The exception is Hong Kong (28% optimistic) while as high as 40% of HongKongers think that 2015 will be worse than 2014, possibly influenced by the slow-down of the economy in China and the uncertain sentiment in the community since the fieldwork was in the middle of Occupy Central movement. Western Europe also proved to be pessimistic with 26% thinking 2015 will be worse than 2014.
When asked if next year would be one of economic prosperity, globally 42% of respondents believed it will be better whilst 23% believe it will be one of economic difficulty. However respondents from Western Europe continue to believe that economies will struggle during 2015 with 40% believing it will be a difficult year in contrast to just 12% who believe it will be one of economic prosperity.
The case for Hong Kong is similar to Western Europe with a high 51% thinking it will be a difficult year, up from 43% the previous year and only 11% believing it will be one of economic prosperity similar to the previous year (10%).
A Happier World
As 2014 comes to a close, globally 70% of respondents (up from 60% in previous year) say that they personally feel happy about their life and only 6% declaring themselves to be unhappy.
In the case of Hong Kong, 39% of the local residents say they are happy about their life while 16% feel unhappy and the balance 46% are people claiming neither happy nor unhappy. The sentiment is similar to the previous year.
