The results of a recent Pew poll, released Tuesday, show Israelis are overall optimistic with the direction their country is moving.  The survey, part of the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, measured the public attitudes of 44 countries worldwide in terms of the economy. Israel placed second in the developed world, behind only Germany, in a number of categories.

48,643 respondents were questioned worldwide between March 17 to June 5.  In Israel, 1,000 participants from all backgrounds were interviewed face-to-face from April 24 to May 11, after the breakdown of talks with the Palestinians but before Operation Protective Edge.

49% of Israelis said they were satisfied with “the way things are going in your country today,” while 50% were not.  Although that does not sound encouraging, in the context of overall global satisfaction, that puts Israel ahead of the game.

“In most nations, people say their country is heading in the wrong direction and most voice the view that economic conditions are bad,” states the report.

Among the advanced economies of the world, of which Israel is one, the global median result was 69% dissatisfaction.  While more Germans were satisfied with their country’s direction, only 33% of Americans were.

When it comes to the Israeli economy, respondents were more positive.  Again Israel came in second in the developed world, behind Germany, with 59% expressing optimism about the economy six years after the start of the Great Recession.

In looking to the future, 33% of Israelis polled believe the economy with improve in the next year, while 46% think it will stay the same.  20% expressed concern that it would deteriorate.

When compared to all countries in the survey, Israel placed 8th in satisfaction with the country’s direction and 11th in positive economic attitudes.  Some other countries participating in the survey include China, Russia, Greece, Malaysia and the Palestinian Territories.  The poll has a ±4.3% margin of error.