From Rasmussen Reports…
Optimism About the Upcoming Year Hits A Seven-Year Low
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Americans expected the current year to be better than it turned out but are more hopeful about the year to come. This is similar to findings in previous years. Still, adults are less optimistic about the upcoming year than they’ve been in the previous seven years of surveying.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 35% of Adults expect 2011 to be a good year or better, the lowest level of optimism found since the end of 2003. Nineteen percent (19%) say 2011 will be a poor year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Optimism about the next year has hovered in this range in late December surveys for the past three years. But in late 2007, 68% expected the following year to be a good, if not better, one. In late December 2006, 57% said the same of 2007.
Only 22% of Adults rate 2010 as a good year or better. That includes four percent (4%) who say it was an excellent year and two percent (2%) who think it was the best year ever. Thirty-one percent (31%) classify 2010 as a poor year overall.
The number giving this year positive ratings is identical to the number who felt that way about 2009 last year at this time. Forty-one percent (41%) gave 2009 a poor rating at the end of last year.
However, 37% of Americans predicted 2010 would be at least a good year, while 23% thought it would be a poor one.
Americans are also a bit less optimistic about their personal health. Twenty-five percent (25%) believe their health will be better at the end of 2011, down three points from a year ago and seven points from late 2008. Only six percent (6%) expect their health to get worse next year. Most adults (61%) believe their health will be about the same at year's end.
Forty-six percent (46%) of adults believe the U.S. economy will still be in a recession at the end of 2011, down from 50% the previous two years. Only 19% say the economy will not be in a recession by the end of next year. Thirty-five percent (35%) are undecided.
Men gave 2010 a slightly better rating than women did, and also hold a more optimistic outlook for 2011. But fewer women than men believe the economy will still be in a recession by the end of next year.
Investors are more likely than non-investors to believe the U.S. economy will remain in recession.
Earlier this month, only 36% of adults said the U.S. economy will be stronger a year from now. Just as many (36%) predicted the economy will grow even weaker. Americans also don’t hold much optimism about the housing and stock markets in the next year.
Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction.
In late October, 74% said it’s likely there will be another terrorist attack in the United States in the next year, including 35% who see this as Very Likely.
Just nine percent (9%) of Likely Voters believe that U.S.-Muslim relations will be better a year from now. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and say the relationship will be worse.
On the political front, 54% of voters believe Washington, DC will become more partisan over the next year.
As 2010 turns to 2011 on Friday night, most adults plan to be home and wide awake.
As for how they will celebrate, most Americans don’t plan on attending a party or even a dinner, but a sizable number intend to enjoy a drink. Even more will offer up a prayer as 2010 becomes 2011.
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