Other findings include:
- Almost half of Spaniards (47%), 43% of Britons, 38% of Americans, just over one-third of Italians (36%) and 32% of Germans say they expect the current recession to end between 1 and 2 years from now. Three in ten Germans (30%) and almost one-quarter of Italians (22%), however, are a bit more pessimistic and say they do not expect the current recession to end in the foreseeable future;
- Among employed adults, there are mixed concerns that they may lose their jobs within the next year as a result of this recession. Four in five Germans (82%), three-quarters of Americans (77%) and Britons (76%) and over half of Italians (57%) say they are not at all or only somewhat concerned they will lose their job. Spaniards are more divided – 51% say they are not at all or only somewhat concerned while 49% say they are fairly or extremely concerned;
- The concern shifts when all adults are asked if they are concerned if a friend or family member will lose their job within the next year as a result of this recession. Over half of Italians (57%) and Spaniards (57%) say they are extremely or fairly concerned a friend or family member will lose their job as are 40% of Americans and 39% of Britons. Germans are more positive as two-thirds of them (67%) are not at all or only somewhat concerned a friend or family member will lose their job; and,
- On another economic topic, strong majorities of Spaniards (70%), French (66%), Italians (62%), and Germans (58%) as well as just under half of Americans (48%) all believe that the euro could overtake the U.S. dollar in global importance within the next 5 years. British adults are a little more divided – 31% believe the euro could overtake the dollar, 38% believe it could not happen and 31% are not sure.
One other topic of interest is President-elect Barack Obama
- Two-thirds of Germans (67%), three in five French adults (61%), half of Spaniards (52%) and Italians (51%) and 47% of British adults all say the recent election of Barack Obama has given then a better view of the United States than it was. But almost half of British adults (48%) say their view is no different than it was before;
- There is a sense of hesitancy among the European countries, however, with how effective Barack Obama may be. Over half of Spaniards (58%), Germans (55%), Britons (54%) and half of French adults (50%) all say it is only somewhat likely that Barack Obama will deliver the changes that he promised. Italians are a little more optimistic as 63% say it is fairly likely he will deliver on these promises; and,
- In the United States, perhaps not surprisingly, there are more mixed feelings as to whether Barack Obama will deliver the changes that he has promised. Just over one-quarter of Americans (28%) say it is not at all likely he will deliver on these promises while three in ten (30%) say it is only somewhat likely. One-quarter of Americans (26%), however, say it is fairly likely while 16% say it is extremely likely he will deliver the changes promised.
So What?
The season may be merry and bright, but for adults in these six countries, the holiday season is just one more part of the continuing economic woes they need to deal with on a daily basis. And, while they should be enjoying the normally festive time of year, people are buying less for the holidays and worried about job losses. One small bright spot are the changes in the United States. Adults in these five European countries are feeling better about the U.S. and, more accurately, better about the changes they feel the new administration will be making next year. But, at the same time, they are not at all certain that all these promised changes can actually be made. While Barack Obama may be viewed positively now, people are also waiting and watching to see what he will be able to accomplish.
