Swedes upbeat about the economy: poll

Swedes have become more positive about the country’s economic development, as well as developments in their own pocketbooks, according to a new study.

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According to the study, which was carried out by Svenskt Kvalitetsindex (SKI), Swedes are considerably more optimistic about the economy during the third quarter than during the previous quarter this year.

SKI regularly measures how Swedes appraise their own economic situation, as well as that of the country as a whole, for the year ahead. The results are then converted into an index ranging from 0 to 100.

Measurements for the third quarter 2009 resulted in a confidence index reading of 47.4 for the economy in general, while people's appraisal of their own economic situation resulted in a score of 47.1.

The results of SKI’s latest survey indicate that many now believe that the economic crisis has stabilized and that things are set to take a turn for the better.

“We’re back to the levels from before the financial crisis and the economic slowdown,” said SKI’s Johan Parmler to the TT news agency.

Readings for the index in the spring of 2007 included a score of 46.6 for the economy in general and 52.1 for respondents' personal situations.

Also noteworthy is the fact that respondents’ confidence in the Swedish economy equals their optimism regarding their own economic situations.

“It’s nice that you can believe as much in your neighbour’s economic situation as in your own. That’s not very common. Normally, people’s assessments of their own financial situation are much higher than their assessments of the economy in general,” said Parmler.

Swedes are significantly more positive in their assessments of where the country’s and their own economy is heading, according to the survey.

The study is based on responses to roughly 25,000 interviews carried out by EDB Business Partners.