Continent of choice

The majority of EU citizens think that Europe's economy is developing at a slower pace than its American or Japanese counterparts, a TNS OBOP Eurobarometer report found. However, 50 percent of those surveyed still think that the quality of life is much better within the EU. Polish people are an exception, though. They cherish the idea of the 'the American dream' - 60 percent of Poles think settling in the US could give them a better life than living in Europe.

This doesn't mean, however, that an average Pole is pessimistic about the future of the EU economy, as the economic sentiment indicator (ESI) is on the rise. In October this year it grew in the EU by 1.7 points and in the eurozone where it jumped by 1.9 points. The ESI was boosted by a rise in confidence across almost all sectors.