Global Survey Finds People Optimistic

In spite of current economic woes, a new global survey finds that 90% of people around the world expect the next five years to be as good or better than life today. LiveScience.com reports that 95% expect their life in five years to be as good or better than it was five years ago.

The researchers conclude that human beings are naturally optimistic. Past studies have also found optimism to be a common human trait. For example, most people expect to live longer and be more successful than average.

Optimism is a healthy trait to have. A decade-long study published in 2004 found that those with brighter outlooks had a 55% lower risk of death during the study period.

The latest survey is based on data from 140 countries and more than 150,000 adults.