Most of Moldovans consider Moldova is affected by world economic crisis, POB

The largest part of the population (about 88%) considers that Moldova is affected by the world financial crisis, says the Public Opinion Barometer (POB) presented on Tuesday, March 24, Info-Prim Neo reports. 42.8% of the respondents think that Moldova is affected by the crisis to a great extent, while 45.4% - to a small extent. At the same time, six out of ten respondents said they personally or somebody from their family was affected by the financial crisis. According to the poll, the 18-44 age bracket consider the financial crisis hit them the worst. About 57% of the population is dissatisfied with the economic situation in the country. Compared with last year, 30% of the respondents consider that the economic situation remained the same, while 32% said it is worse. The number of people who consider the economic situation is worse rose by 12% compared with the previous poll carried out in October 2008. Moldova’s economic prospects for the next year are gloomier: about 26% of the people consider the situation will be slightly better, while 20.3% think it will remain unchanged. 26% of those questioned do not know what the situation will be like next year. This percentage is high and shows that the people do not have trust in the near future. The population considers that the measures aimed at redressing the social and economic situation in the country should include: the development of industrial companies (39%), support to small agricultural enterprises (35%) and improvement of the law enforcement mechanisms (35%). Approximately 59% of the population considers that things in Moldova go in the wrong direction. This is mainly the opinion of the rural population with a higher education level, forming part of the 18-44 age bracket. Over 3/4 of the population continues to be dissatisfied with the activities of the country’s administration in the key social spheres: salaries (86%), workplaces (85%), living conditions (80%), agriculture (75%). Also, 79% of the respondents are dissatisfied with the steps taken in industry, 76% - corruption combating, 73% - the pension sector, 72% - the healthcare sector. The Public Opinion Barometer was carried out by the Center for Sociological Investigations and Marketing CBS-AXA and was commission by the Public Policy Institute. It was conducted between February 28 and March 14 and covered a sample of 1,197 persons. The margin of error is plus-minus 2.8%.