„Romanians are among the most pessimistic of east Europeans in this regard,” a GfK Romania press release said.
In the Czech Republic, 34% said their financial situation has worsened, while in Bulgaria this opinion is shared by 52%.
Only 9% of the Romanians who took part in the study said they are better off compared to last year, fewer than in October 2008, when around a third said they were better off.
As regards financial perspectives for the next year, 15% of Romanians said they are optimistic, down from 29% in 2008.
Over 83% of Romanians feel a decline in the country’s general economic situation and 56% expect it to get even worse next year.
Last year, 34% of those who answered feared that unemployment would grow in the next 12 months. Presently, this share has grown to over 82%. In Bulgaria, this segment is somewhat smaller, 74%, in the Czech Republic – 70%, and in Poland – 64%.
As regards investing in good with long-term use, 63% said this is not a good period to make investments, while 80% believed it is not a good time to save up.
„This year’s results concerning saving or the intent to save up are comparable to those of 2008, which shows, at least based on statements, that Romanians are not interested in saving up neither before the crisis nor during it,” the press release said.
The Consumer Confidence Barometer is a study cofinanced by the European Commission and carried out weekly by GfK Romania on a sample of 1,000 people aged above 15.