BBC: Iraqis and Afghans are the among most optimistic people in the world when it comes to their economic future, a new survey for the BBC suggests.

The BBC poll on optimists and possimists.

In Afghanistan 70% say their own circumstances are improving, and 57% believe that the country overall is on the way up.

In Iraq 65% believe their personal life is getting better, and 56% are upbeat about the country's economy.

The experts at polling firm Globescan, who conducted the survey, venture the
guess that war may have created a "year zero" experience of collectively starting over.

And the pessmists --with good reason-- are:

Among the six countries with unhappy majorities, Zimbabweans stand out as the most miserable lot.

An overwhelming 90% of those interviewed say their country's economy is getting worse, and 84% are dubious about their own financial future.