However, to over half the population of Brazil (56%) the country will be little or not at all affected by it. This evaluation is a reflex of the perception of 43% of those interviewed that the country is more prepared for this crisis than it had been in the previous ones, despite 68% believing that this crisis is as serious or more serious than the previous ones.
According to the special chapter of the opinion poll, 75% of those interviewed knew of the crisis before answering the questionnaire. Another 23% said that the first time they heard about it was when the interviewer made the question (the remainder did not answer).
The researchers went into the field, in 141 cities throughout Brazil, between December 5th and 8th, and they approached 2.002 people. The margin of error of the research is two percentage points, up or down, and the trust interval is 95%.
To 35% of those answering, the crisis is very serious, whereas to 49% it is serious, 7% said that it is little serious and 2% said it is not serious at all. Another 7% did not know what to answer or decided not to answer.
In chapter "Perception of the Crisis", 46% of those interviewed believe that the international financial turbulence should affect the Brazilian economy little. Another 10% said that Brazil should not be affected. To 37%, the economy will be greatly affected (7% did not know or did not answer).
If the recent good economic conjecture made the evaluation with regard to the effects of the economy more positive than negative, it was not enough to keep Brazilians confident with regard to their personal condition.
Of those interviewed, 66% said that they greatly feared (24%) or had a little fear (42%) of being affected by the crisis. Another 3% answered that they have already suffered the impact of the crisis. One quarter (26%) of those interviewed said that they do not fear being affected by the crisis. (5% did not know or did not answer).
To 30% of those interviewed this crisis should be more serious than the previous ones and to 38%, it should be as serious as them. Another 21% of those answering said that it would be less serious and 2% said that it is not serious (9% did not answer or did not know).
Difficulties to pay already established debts were pointed out by 26% of those approached, and higher interest rates in the purchase of household appliances, vehicles or motorcycles were pointed out by 21% of them.
The loss of their jobs was the answer by 16% of those interviewed, difficulties in getting financing for home purchase was identified by 14% and the threat or risk of losing their jobs by 12%.
To 28% of those interviewed, the crisis should end in the second quarter of next year, 23% believe it should end in the first half. According to 13% of those approached, the crisis should end in 2010, whereas to 8%, it should end after 2010.
CNI