Brasília, 6/30/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Fear of unemployment remains high among Brazilians. Three months ago a CNI/Ibope poll found that 54% of those interviewed thought unemployment would rise. The latest survey has found that 55% now think there will be fewer jobs.

However, a breakdown of the survey shows that among those with higher levels of education and income there is more optimism than three months ago. The opposite is true among those with lower education levels and income: they are more pessimistic.

"The view from the bottom of the social pyramid is worse, at least regarding jobs," explains Amauri Teixeira, a marketing specialist who analyzed the CNI/Ibope poll data.

The survey margin of error is give or take 2.2 percentage.

(Translator: Allen Bennett)