VILNIUS 's Opposition to Lithuanian adoption of the euro currency is rising, according to a survey carried out by public opinion and market research company RAIT during September.
According to the poll, just 23 percent of respondents are in favor of euro introduction as soon as possible - a 9 percentage point decrease on March's figure.
Meanwhile, the number of those against joining the eurozone has risen from 36 to 44 percent.
Plans to change to the all-European currency in five years at earliest are supported by 17 percent of respondents, as compared with 18 percent in March, while 7 percent think that Lithuania should have the euro in a decade (9 percent in March).
The percentage of those undecided has gone up from 5 to 9 percent over the past six months.
In September 2006, introduction of the euro as soon as possible was supported by 31 percent of respondents and opposed by 42 percent.
The survey also shows the highest support to the euro among populations of largest cities and those with university degrees, while opponents mainly include residents of small towns with elementary education.
Lithuania originally planned to change its national currency to the euro in the beginning of 2007, however, the plans have been wrecked by soaring inflation levels.
The current plan is to introduce the euro in 2010-2011, though many commentators believe that even this target is optimistic.
