Indians most optimistic consumers
Indian consumers are the world's most optimistic about their economic prospects for the third year in a row as per the poll conducted on the Internet during May and June 2006 in which 22,000 people polled.
India topped the annual Global Confidence poll with a score of 131 points out of 150, one point ahead of second placed Norway. India’s booming economy do not show any sign of slowing down, making the country the world's most optimistic again.
Denmark, Ireland and Canada took the remaining places in the top five of forty countries and territories surveyed while sixth to tenth places went to New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia respectively. In the survey, South Korea was in the bottom spot where nine out of ten consumers said it was not a good time to spend on the things they need. Taiwan and Japan also recorded slow optimism scores.
Vietnam was the country where more consumers than anywhere else in the world were concerned about job security with nearly 75% of the people polled saying, it was heir chief anxiety.
Globally, the biggest concerns cited by consumers were the economy (47 per cent of respondents), health (37%) and job security (31%), followed closely by the cost of paying off credit cards or loans.
In the survey, Hong Kong, ranked ninth overall and with the positive economic and business outlook, Hong Kong people have become more upbeat and positive in the first half of 2006.