The vast majority of people think that countries are 'economically better off' when they have their own currency, according to the results of a recent YouGov survey commissioned by the foreign exchange company, World First.[i]
71% of those asked in the poll felt that nation states were economically better off when they have their own unit of money, whilst just 7% said they thought it was better for countries to share a single currency.
This new data comes on the back of a turbulent year for the euro, which has forced the issue of the nature of Britain's involvement in the EU back to the top of the political agenda.
Britain's unenthusiastic attitude to being part of the 'European club' is no secret. A recent YouGov poll[ii] found that 47% of voters in the United Kingdom would vote to leave the European Union, while 33% would vote to stay in (with 14% undecided and 5% unwilling to vote).
Those questioned in the World First poll were less convinced about the future prospects for the euro one way or another. In total, 57% felt that the euro in its current form would probably break up in the next 12 months, while 29% thought it would probably survive to the end of next year.
However, just 14% thought that the euro would collapse entirely with individual countries going back to their old currencies.
When asked if the end of the euro would be good for the British economy, the results were more mixed. 25% said it would be a good thing, whereas 35% said they thought it would be bad for the British economy.
EDITOR'S NOTES
i. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,859 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th - 8th November 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
ii. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,948 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th - 9th September 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).