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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Unemployment is Main Concern in Venezuela
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Venezuelans are worried about the current job market, according to a poll by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. 37 per cent of respondents believe unemployment is the main problem in the country.
Earlier this month, the Central Bank of Venezuela announced that the country's economy grew by 7.9 per cent in the first trimester of 2006. At the end of February, Venezuela's unemployment rate was 10.7 per cent, meaning 1.3 million people are out of work.
Crime and public safety are next on the list of concerns with 21 per cent, followed by corruption with 12 per cent, and poverty with seven per cent.
Hugo Chávez has been the country's president since February 1999. In July 2000, he was elected to a six-year term with 59.5 per cent of all cast ballots. In August 2004, Chávez won a referendum on his tenure with 59 per cent of the vote. The special election was called after opposition organizations in Venezuela gathered 2.5 million signatures to force a recall ballot.
In December 2005, Venezuelan voters renewed their National Assembly. The pro-Chávez Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) secured 114 of the 167 seats at stake. Five opposition parties—Democratic Action (AD), the Social Christian Party (Copei), Project Venezuela (Proven), Justice First (PJ) and New Time (UNP)—boycotted the election, which saw a turnout of less than 25 per cent.
The next presidential election is scheduled for Dec. 3. Chávez is eligible for a new term in office.
Polling Data
What are the two main problems in the country?
(Two answers allowed)
Unemployment | 37% |
Crime / Public safety | 21% |
Corruption | 12% |
Poverty | 7% |
Source: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Venezuelan adults, conducted from Feb. 18 to Mar. 5, 2006. Margin of error is 3.16 per cent.