OREANDA-NEWS. December 07, 2010. According to the newest "DnB NORD Latvian barometer", in October apparently have improved all features indicative to the current situation in economy and its development, whereas since September through particular increase has been assessment of the governmental performance. The second part of the poll, though, reveals that the Latvian population right now feels too insecure both financially and socially to consider new addition to the family, thus contributing to preservation of Latvian nation, reported the press-centre of DnB NORD Banka.    

By asking the regular monthly questions the study reveals that people have become more optimistic with regard to the overall progress of the state, as they more frequently admit that the situation is developing in the right direction (in September 15%, in October 19%), less frequently choosing the answer that the direction of progress is wrong (67% and 60%, respectively).

As to assessment of the state economy, there has dropped the proportion of negative opinions – in September it was described as bad by 80% of respondents, whereas in October by 77%. Meanwhile the proportion of optimistic opinions has grown up to 22%. Ascending trends are trademark also in assessment of changes in Latvian economy, as 13% of respondents believe that it gradually recovers.

When asked about their forecasts of the state economy in one year, among the respondents of "DnB NORD Latvian barometer" for the first time since April 2008 positive assessment prevailed. The opinion that in 12 months the situation will be better in October was supported by 27%, whereas in September – by 21% of respondents. The opinion that the situation will remain the same held 35% of respondents, which is by four per cent points less than in September.

Though the majority of population still believe that financial standings of their respective families in one year will remain unchanged (in September 40%, in October 43%), the overall forecasts have become more optimistic, and 19% of respondents are positive that their financial standings will improve. In September such opinion was held by 15%.

Moreover, in October the study has revealed decreasing number of respondents who consider the chances to find a good employment in Latvia rather poor (29%) or very poor (50%). All-in-all such opinion was voiced by less respondents than in September (79% and 83%, respectively).

When asked to analyze the sentiments of respondents, the social anthropologist Klavs Sedlenieks emphasizes: "Of particular interest is rather drastic rise in assessment of the governmental performance, since the government has introduced no sweeping changes and there have appeared unmistakable indications that this very government is preparing several not quite popular steps in the name of the budget consolidation. Such rise is probably attributable to the post-election landscape, where the respondents, pending the changes in the composition of the government rather uncritically idealize the performance of the existing Cabinet." 

In turn, the Social and Political Project Director of "SKDS" market and public opinion survey center Ieva Strode stresses that the improved assessment of the state economy and individual financial standings in one-year perspective are indicative of improved economic activities in the country, as before many people postponed important decisions, being apprehensive of the future. That said, I.Strode also adds: "Yet we should wait to see the reaction of the general public to the so-called "budget consolidation" - its ramification in terms of attitude to the government and the supposed influence of the made decisions to the future of the state.

Whether the currently made steps are considered requisite for the further development or facilitate the criticism towards the newly approved government and the growth of dissatisfaction we will see in subsequent studies."
In November, due to the 92nd state anniversary, more topical became discussions about the peoples' patriotism, knowledge of history, emigration and the future of the Latvian nation, and therefore the second part of "DnB NORD Latvian barometer" was focused on issues relating to demographic situation in the country.

More than one half or 54% of respondents are of opinion that the most severe demographical threat is the outflow of population, whereas 26% believe that equally perilous is the currently low birthrate.

When asked about impediments to the planned new addition to the family and the reason why many people have less children than desired, three fourths or 75% of all respondents have indicated that the major obstacle is the ambiguous financial situation. Close to one half (47%) of respondents believe that people feel insecure about their future, 41% admit that the state apparently fails to provide sufficient support to the families with children, whereas 39% indicate that one of the principal impediments is inadequate household conditions.

When asked about the planned new addition to the family within the next three years, 30% of respondents have denied such possibility due to the complicated situation in the country, financial or household conditions or the fact that the state support has plummeted drastically enough to preclude entertaining any hopes about a new baby. Equally big share of the respondents have named insecurity in the future as the uppermost consideration, explaining why they don't have as many children as they would ideally wanted.  

Moreover, when asked to name the putative steps for promotion of the birthrate, the most important the respondents of "DnB NORD Latvian barometer" consider extended support to the families with children and higher allowances (57%), as well as securing of actually free education (51%) and healthcare (35%).

As to forecasts about the nation preservation chances in 50 years one fourth of respondents believe that the quantitative structure of Latvians will be considerably weakened. Talks about extinction of Latvians are considered exaggerated by 18%, whereas 19% of respondents believe that by introducing birthrate promotion and death-rate abatement measures the situation will improve and even in 50 years Latvians will not be endangered. 

When asked to give comments on the study and share the arisen conclusions, the expert in economics of DnB NORD Banka Peteris Strautins emphasizes: "Latvian people must understand that children constitute a considerable part of their own old age security. Without an ascending birthrate, people of currently reproductive age will be able to retire at 70 only. One of conclusions: if the nation is reluctant to save oneself in its population, people are bound to seek for individual deliverance, and by doing it in a well-considered manner they might finally succeed in saving the nation." 

"DnB NORD Latvian barometer" has become renowned monthly sociologic study in the country, appears on monthly basis, and focuses on the hottest issues of the given period. At the same time to the general public every time is addressed the list of regular questions that month by month indicate changes in the public sentiments.