FRANCE 24 - Harris Interactive - in partnership with France 24 and the International Herald Tribune - conducted an exclusive poll to find out what people in Western countries believe the future holds.

From unemployment fears to social unrest, the poll covers a range of issues which are on people's minds.

Nearly six and a half thousand adults were questioned within France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and the United States.

When it comes to the forseeable future, Europe and the US have a rather gloomy view. In the next three years, mass protests and an increase in social unrest rank as key anxieties many expect in their respective countries.

Ninetey-five percent of the French think more strikes are likely, compared with 78 percent of Americans.

Meanwhile 40 percent of all respondants believe that individual rights and freedoms are likely to diminish.

When it comes to people's daily lives, money tops the list of worries.

Spaniards think they are most likely to lose their jobs within the next three years, while Germans feel considerably more secure about their employment.

Seventy-one percent of Americans think they will have little cash left over for their children compared with 58 percent of the French.

Holidays are another luxury which many people think will fall by the wayside because of the economic crisis. Eighty-two percent of Spaniards think they will soon have to scrap their usual getaways.

Faced with such tough times, 80 percent of Italians think that the world's economy is due an overhaul.

Italians are the most optimistic about a better banking system being put in place and count on improved European co-operation.

The French and Americans are also hopeful the crisis will lead to improvements being made.

Britain and Germany, however, remain rather more downbeat about the global economy.
 

Download the complete poll results (pdf)