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The World's Most Optimistic People Live in Africa

Emerging nations are home to more upbeat consumers, while advanced economies see dark clouds
A farmer, left, accepts cash payment for his grain from a buyer in the village of Damo Dulele, Ethiopia, in February 2015. Growth in Ethiopia has beaten every other sub-Saharan country over the past decade.

A farmer, left, accepts cash payment for his grain from a buyer in the village of Damo Dulele, Ethiopia, in February 2015. Growth in Ethiopia has beaten every other sub-Saharan country over the past decade.

Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
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Sure, France has Paris, Provence and the Palace of Versailles. But when it comes to optimism about the domestic economy, the French have nothing on Ethiopians.

The three countries with the brightest prospects in the next year are all emerging or developing economies in Africa, while three with the bleakest outlooks are advanced economies, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted March 25 through May 27.