RIGA — Latvians are less satisfied with their lives and more pessimistic about the future compared to other European Union member states, according to the latest Eurobarometer 71 survey.
Almost half — 46 percent of respondents — said they felt unhappy with their lives, while 54 percent indicated they are generally satisfied. There’s indications that the amount of unhappiness is increasing with the economic downturn.
Inta Priedola, project manager at TNS Latvija which carried out the survey in Latvia, said the number of Latvians satisfied with their lives had decreased eight percentage points over the past six months.
Some 65 percent of respondents named unemployment as the most worrisome problem in Latvia, followed by the economic situation at 59 percent and crime at 17 percent.
Survey results suggest economic factors in Latvia are have a more significant influence on people’s general state of mind and well-being than in other parts of Europe.
In contrast 49 percent of respondents from other EU-member states cite unemployment as the most pressing concern, while 42 percent said they were concerned about their country’s economic situation.
The unemployment level in Latvia has reached 12.1 percent, with 135,604 persons registered as unemployed in the country, according to data from the State Employment Agency.
The recession is hitting the country hard with 77 percent of Latvians are struggling to make end’s meet. In comparison 59 percent of other EU residents are having difficulties paying their bills on average.
Meanwhile the number of Latvian residents who consider inflation to be a significant problem has decreased dramatically. Six months ago, most residents considered inflation to be the most serious problem in Latvia. Now only nine percent believe so.
On average, residents of Latvia are also more pessimistic about their future than residents in other EU member states, particularly regarding issues such as the overall economic situation in the country, job opportunities, financial circumstances and life in general.
TNS Latvija surveyed 1,008 respondents between June 12 and June 30.
