CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX SURVEY - September 2021

Below are the key National insights of the survey :

• Only 1 in 3 Pakistanis considers that the country is heading in the right direction. It’s highest positive sentiment in last 2 years. Not to forget; acute majority i.e. 66% still think otherwise
• Personal financial issues have been top concerns for Pakistanis consistently, since Aug. ’19
• While inflation remains on top, but the number of Pakistanis who call it a top concern have decreased over the past one year
• Coronavirus, burden of additional taxes and interference of state departments in each other matters; are top 3 concerns which increased in last one year.
• 1 in 4 Pakistanis rates its current personal financial situation as strong, ever highest read since Aug. ‘19 However, one-third still consider it weak, and one half expecting it to be even weaker in next 6 months
• 1 in 5 Pakistanis rated Pakistan’s economic situation as strong; again most ‘optimistic’ in last 2 years. Caution here that 1 in 3 still believe it as weak, and more than half foresee it getting worse in next 6 months
• Overwhelming majority, 3 in 4 Pakistanis continue to be less confident about their job security. However, for the first time since Aug.‘19, over 20% Pakistanis now feeling confident in their job security.
• 2 in 5 Pakistanis reported witnessing themselves or people known to them personally losing their jobs in the past one year; this situation was even worse a year ago.
• 3 out of 4 Pakistanis are now feeling less confident about their ability to save money and invest in their future, However 26% of Pakistani are more comfortable which is at its highest level since 2019.
• Thinking in comparison to a year ago, 4 in 5 Pakistanis are feeling less comfortable for purchasing major items like cars, homes etc. This percentage was 97% in June’20
• Similarly, 78% Pakistanis are feeling less comfortable while purchasing other household items. Bit of improvement since June’20, when 94% were not comfortable doing so
• Ipsos’ Pakistan consumers’ confidence index increased by 9 points when compared to last year, approaching its highest level since 2019.
• Pakistan has gained some momentum after June’20 but it is still significantly lower the global average