Optimism is most widespread among the poorest group, which includes many individuals who fall below the poverty line. Differences in views among those in the two lowest two socioeconomic categories highlight the importance of recognising gradations of poverty in assessing economic perceptions. The pessimism among the richest in society raises the specter of emigration of highly-skilled individuals. There is a fairly even geographical spread of optimism in South Africa, with a few exceptions. This pessimism appears to be rooted in dissatisfaction with current conditions on a number of fronts.
Socioeconomic status is measured as an index that combines household living standard with education.