A majority of financial professionals around the world predict the global economy to turn the corner in 2007, according to research from Robert Half International.

The annual Robert Half International Financial Directions survey reveals Canada is the most optimistic country, with 28% ranking the health of the economy ‘very optimistic’, followed by the USA with 24%, compared to the global average of 15%.

European companies which demonstrate far less optimism for the global economic future include Italy, where 31% ranked the health of the economy for 2007 ‘pessimistic’ and ‘very pessimistic’, followed by Germany 30% and France 25%.

The survey also found that employee recruitment and training ranked second in the line up of increased business costs, with 26% expecting to see a rise in spending.  The survey uncovered that those in France (36%), Australia (36%) and the UK (31%) are most likely to spend more on recruitment and training in 2007.