Greeks are relatively happy citizens compared to their counterparts in the European Union, but are among the least optimistic in the EU as regards their country’s economic outlook, according to a European poll made public yesterday.

Responding to a Eurobarometer survey conducted last December, 80 percent of Greeks claimed to be happy with their lives compared to an EU average of 87 percent. The Danes topped the chart, with 97 percent claiming to be happy, while Bulgarians ranked lowest with 39 percent.

But Greeks are among the EU’s most stressed, according to the poll, with 55 percent fearing a deterioration in the national economy within the year and 59 percent fearing an increase in unemployment. However, one in two Greeks said they thought their own financial situation would remain steady.

Greeks are also among the EU’s most worried when it comes to the future of their pensions, with only 38 percent declaring confidence, compared to 74 percent of Danes.