In Brazil, India and China, 49% of citizens consider that 2011 will be a year of economic prosperity and only 14% think that the year will be a harbinger of difficulties. These opinions were expressed in a survey by BVA-Gallup in 53 countries. The most optimistic country was Vietnam (70% of those surveyed said that they were confident) and Nigeria (80% expect to see their own lives improve). Europeans are expecting a prosperous year (45% think that things will remain stable and 38% believe the year will be difficult). France is the most pessimistic country in the world, with 61% of those surveyed expecting economic difficulties (as opposed to 52% of British respondents, 40% of Spaniards and 41% of Italians). (I.L./transl.fl)