Almost 50% of Irish people believe 2016 will be a better year for the economy

Almost half of Irish people believe 2016 will be a better year — as the country feels more positive about the economy.

According to a recent Red C survey conducted by WIN/Gallup International, almost half (47%) of Irish adults stated that, as far as they were concerned, 2016 would be a better year — up from 39% last year.

The increasingly positive outlook comes on the back of a boost in personal happiness among the nation, with the majority (57%) feeling happy. Unhappiness has decreased significantly since the same period last year (-8%) and stands at 12%.

Looking at the economic outlook of Ireland over the course of the next 12 months, we appear to be more optimistic, with 33% thinking it will be a year of economic prosperity — up from 24% last year.

Pessimism amongst Irish people is also on the decline with 19% believing next year will be economically difficult compared to 28% who last year felt this way about 2015.

Internationally, the survey found at the end of 2015 the net happiest country in the world is Colombia (85%), in stark contrast to the world’s unhappiest country which is Iraq at -12% net happiness.

In terms of economic optimism, Greece is the most pessimistic (-65% net optimistic) country given their current perilous financial position, while Nigeria was the most optimistic at 61%

Young people were found to be considerably more optimistic than older generations with 31% of under 34s optimistic for the future compared to just 13% for the over 55s.