In many countries a majority or plurality say average people's finances are worse today than 20 years ago The financial situation of average people in our country is Advanced worse than it was 20 years ago Advanced economies
Along with failure to erase doubts about the future, economic confidence today is dogged by the popular belief that times were better before the Great Recession. Substantial shares in 15 of the 27 nations polled believe that, compared with 20 years ago, the financial situation of average people in their country is worse today. This view is especially pronounced in Greece (87%), Tunisia (75%), Italy (72%), Spain (62%), France (56%) and the UK (53%).
But public perceptions of a more prosperous past often do not mirror real economic change. In Brazil, where a plurality of 43% say personal financial conditions are worse today than 20 years ago, adjusted per capita gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis is actually up 26% since 1998. In Mexico, while 40% say times are worse for average people, per capita GDP is 16% higher. The same is the case in Spain and France, where a majority of the public believes personal finances have deteriorated, but per capita real GDP has improved 25% and 11% respectively.
In many countries a majority or plurality  | say average people's finances are worse  | today than 20 years ago  | The financial situation of average people in our country  | is Advanced worse than it was 20 years ago  | Advanced economies  | Greece  | 87%  | Italy  | .72  | Spain  | 62  | France  | 56  | 53  | UK  | Canada  | 48  | 46  | Germany  | 38 14 45 46 46  | Australia  | Argentina  | US  | Hungary  | Japan  | Israel  | Netherla nds  | 31 31  | Russia  | 25  | South Korea  | Sweden  | 19  | 17  | Poland  | MEDIAN  | 46  | Emerging economies  | Tunisia  | 75  | Kenya  | 46  | 43  | Brazil  | 40  | Mexico  | 38  | Nigeria  | 33  | South Africa  | Philippines  | 18  | 17  | Indonesia  | India  | 15  | MEDIAN  | 38  | Source Spring 2018 Globa Attitudes Survey. Q6.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 