South Africans are quite optimistic about 2006, a Gallup International Voice of the People survey shows.
While almost half (48%) of the 52Â 000 world citizens, representing more than 2,1-billion people, who were interviewed in the global survey felt that 2006 would be a better year than 2005, about 60% of South Africans believed it would be better.
On economic prospects, about 41% of South Africans were expecting economic prosperity for 2006, while only about 35% of people globally shared this view.
As a continent, Africa was the most upbeat about economic prospects — more than half (52%) of Africans saw the coming year as one of economic prosperity.
South Africa’s considerable unemployment dilemma was of concern to the majority of South Africans, however, as almost six in every 10 (57%) expected unemployment to increase a lot or at least slightly.
Fears that unemployment would increase in 2006 had a major effect on people’s optimism about economic prospects. Globally, more than half of those interviewed (54%) expected the unemployment rate in their country to increase, while only one in five (20%) was hopeful that unemployment would decrease.
Africa was the most optimistic about industrial upheaval — four out of every 10 (38%) felt that strikes and industrial disputes would decrease in 2006. Despite this, the region was markedly concerned about employment prospects, with half (49%) of the opinion that unemployment would increase during 2006.
In keeping with concerns about employment, South Africans specifically were also saying that the number of strikes and industrial disputes would increase (45%); a further third (34%) thought that it would remain the same; and only 16% was of the opinion that there would be fewer strikes in 2006.
On the international front, a third (30%) felt 2006 would be a troubled year with much international discord, while only one in five felt it would be a peaceful year (20%). The remainder felt that, internationally, things would stay much as they were in 2005.
South Africans were split on this issue — a quarter (24%) said 2006 would be free of dispute and an almost equal proportion (27%) argued that it would be a troubled year. Almost half (45%) mostly expected no change from 2005.
The survey was conducted in South Africa by Markinor. — I-Net Bridge