Poll shows consumer optimism in May hit lowest point in eight years

After several months of relative stability, consumer optimism has begun to fall, according to a Demoskop poll. The consumer optimism index hit an eight-year low in May, falling another three points to 72. Today 20% of Polish households claim to be unable to make ends meet, and this failure is aggravated by a lack of encouraging job prospects, the most urgent problem according to most Poles. It seems, however, that farmers are not disappointed with the situation, as the optimism index in the agricultural sector has kept rising, reaching 72 points in May. At the same time, only 5% of Poles claimed to feel the effects of last year's 4% economic growth, while 65% thought the figure was negative. Only 11% of respondents were optimistic about the future of the economy, whereas 42% viewed it "in dark colors". (Rzeczpospolita, May 26-27, p.B1) J.K.