France tops for economic gloom

FRANCE leads the world as the most pessimistic country in terms of the economic outlook, with the lowest recorded score in over 30 years, according to a global poll — the Irish had the second gloomiest outlook.

The End of Year survey by Gallup International of 51 countries, published yesterday found that France beat second-placed Ireland and third placed Austria to be named as most economically pessimistic.

Its score of negative 79, a drop of 20 points from last year, was the lowest the poll has recorded since 1978.