Goodby optimism!

The population was more pessimistic about the economic environment at the end of 2007, than at the historical bottom in 2006.

Seventy seven percent of the respondents saw deteriorating conditions, while only 3% perceived improvement. However, unemployment became less of a problem in the past 18 months. Projections for next year's inflation decreased in the first half of 2007, and then with the growing of inflation started to increase again. Rate of those, who are planning to apply for a loan stagnated. Fewer people in the worst economic situation planned to apply for loans, but more did among the richer. The amount of people trying to save money increased, but the amount of savings did not exceed 15% of household incomes. Urge to shop decreased as well: only 18% of the households planned to buy expensive consumer durables, representing the lowest rate since 2002.