Staff Reporter

A new graphic from via Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu highlights the countries most and least optimistic about 2025, based on public sentiment compared to 2024.

The findings stem from the Ipsos Predictions Survey 2025, which surveyed participants across 33 countries to gauge their expectations for the upcoming year.

Overall, 71% of respondents believe that 2025 will be an improvement over 2024. Ipsos reports that optimism levels have varied between 75% and 80% over the past decade.

Most Optimistic Countries

According to Ipsos’ survey, Indonesia ranks as the most optimistic country, with 90% of respondents expressing positive expectations for 2025. Insights from the survey reveal key reasons behind this optimism.

A significant majority of Indonesians believe their physical and mental health will improve in the coming year, with 90% and 92% anticipating positive changes, respectively.

Furthermore, there’s a strong sense of confidence in technology and the economy. When asked if artificial intelligence will create new jobs in Indonesia, 74% agreed, placing the country just behind China, where 77% shared the same belief.

Least Optimistic Countries

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Japan has emerged as the least optimistic country in the survey, with 63% of respondents expressing doubt that 2025 will be better than 2024.

Further insights from the survey help explain this sentiment. Only 38% of Japanese respondents believe their mental health will improve in 2025, a stark contrast to the 92% of Indonesians who feel similarly positive.

Additionally, just 28% of Japanese citizens expect the global economy to strengthen in 2025, significantly below the global average of 51%.