VILNIUS - The results of a recent public opinion poll have found that Lithuanians are becoming increasingly pessimistic about their country's economic future and ability to compete in the European market.
According to the poll conducted by Vilmorus for the
European Commission's Representation in Lithuania, The percentage of respondents expecting Lithuania's economic situation to
improve fell to 35 percent from 40 percent a year ago and the percentage of
those anticipating a further decline in unemployment was down to 39 percent
from 51 percent.
People continue to see rising prices, the brain drain and the use of
Lithuanians as cheap labor by foreign countries as the main disadvantages of
the EU membership, the survey found. the
percentage of those worried that Lithuanians are used as cheap labor abroad
increased to 52.5 percent from 50.4 percent.
The number of people skeptical about Lithuania's ability to compete with
other EU countries has risen significantly over the year, to 63 percent from
46 percent. Fifty-six percent of respondents said that they did not see
Lithuania as an EU leader in any area.
The poll, however, was not all negative. The percentage of those expecting a significant increase in prices in Lithuania due to EU membership fell to 75 percent from 82 percent. The percentage of respondents concerned about the brain drain from Lithuania also declined slightly, to 64 percent from 67.8 percent.
Vilmorus polled 1,002 people in 21 cities and towns and in 63 rural areas
in late August to early September.
