MOSCOW - Only 17% of Russians think that 2012 will be a year of prosperity, judging by a Gallup International research.
Thirty-nine percent feel pessimistic and expect economic problems.
Thirty-two percent expect no change, and twelve percent are unable to make a forecast, sociologists from the Romir Holding told Interfax on Monday.
They took part in the "Global Barometer on Hope and Despair" held by Gallup International in 50 countries.
One of the questions asked was if the upcoming year might bring prosperity, economic problems or change nothing.
More than 45,000 people were polled across the globe. Thirty-one percent hope for economic prospects, and 34% think that the new year will be worse than the outgoing year.
France is the most pessimistic, while the world’s top optimist is Nigeria. Russia ranks 26th on the global list.
Thirty-four out of 50 countries are basically pessimistic, and 15 are basically optimistic.
The number of pessimists and optimists is equal only in one country, India, the sociologists said.
