Hong Kong residents are the most optimistic of Asia-Pacific nations about economic prospects for this year, with South Korea and Japan topping the list of the most pessimistic, a survey showed yesterday.
The findings were part of a TNS and Gallup International survey of more than 65,000 people conducted between November and last month in 60 countries, the Hong Kong branch of the group said in a statement.
The survey showed that generally people across the world were slightly more optimistic about the prospects for this year compared to last year, it said.
In Hong Kong, optimism that the territory's economy and jobless situation would continue to improve this year, after the devastation caused by the SARS crisis, rose 32 percent to 76 percent.
Sixteen percent of Hong Kongers expected the economic situation to remain the same while six percent predicted the economy would worsen.
"Hong Kong undoubtedly suffered more than most throughout 2003, particularly through the impact of SARS," said Andrew Davison, project director at TNS Hong Kong.
"As a result, people clearly believe that given the difficulties of 2003, 2004 quite simply must be a better year," said Davison.
The other most optimistic places in Asia were Australia and India, which polled 68 percent and 67 percent respectively, with the three Asian territories in the top 10 most optimistic places in the world.
In stark contrast, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan were the most pessimistic Asia-Pacific nations with only 28 percent, 27 percent and 26 percent of respondents expecting the next 12 months to be better than last year.
But overall, the poll found that optimism for a brighter 2004 increased around the world.
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