Hong Kong - Hong Kong residents have emerged as some of the most pessimistic in the world concerning their expectations for the coming year, according to an online survey published Wednesday.

Around seven out of ten citizens - or 67 per cent - of the former British colony expect 2009 to be worse than this year - almost twice the global figure of 35 per cent.

The survey, carried out by market information group TNS and Gallup International, found Hong Kong people were only equalled in their gloomy outlook by the residents of hard hit Iceland who came joint top in the pessimism table.

The result is a stark contrast to the sentiments revealed in a similar survey last year that showed Hong Kong people to be the most optimistic for 2008 with 71 per cent believing the year would bring them better lives.

The survey, which polled 45,700 people in 46 countries during October and December, found the people of the UN-administered Kosovo to be the most optimistic with 60 per cent looking forward to a better year ahead.

City residents in mainland China emerged as the second most optimistic with 53 per cent believing 2009 will be good.

Australians emerged as the third happiest with 49 per cent expecting better times ahead, followed by Lebanon (48 per cent), Colombia (48 per cent), New Zealand (44 per cent), then Russia and India (both 42 per cent).

Fears of unemployment were a the main factors affecting the mood with 84 per cent of Hong Kong people believing the jobless rate would increase.

Thomas Isaac, of TNS Hong Kong and Singapore, said the results of the survey reflected the bearish views being expressed by many of the city9s businesses.

"Media reports ... of forecasts, the financial difficulties of several major local retailers, falling property prices, and corporate layoffs have made local people realize that the global economic turmoil is having an impact on Hong Kong," he said.

Just as the crisis has had a swift and severe effect on the global business community, it has also dashed the optimism of local citizens equally quickly." (dpa)