Economic confidence returns to pre-crash levels

Britons are now more positive about the state of the UK than at any time since the crash, according to the latest Ipsos Consumer Confidence Index, conducted in 25 countries across the globe.

In Britain, some 24% now say the country’s economy is in “good” shape.  A year ago, this rating stood at 14%, while in December 2011 the figure had dipped to as low as 8%.

The survey also shows growing optimism about the future.  Some 17% of Britons now expect to see the economy improve over the next 6 months – up from 9% in August 2012.

Across the Atlantic, there are also signs of growing consumer sentiment in the US.  Some 34% of Americans give their economy a positive rating – the highest level since before the recession.

The survey indicates that the economic gloom in some European markets may have stabilised, and could even be starting to improve.  Although fewer than one in ten people in Italy and France rate their economy as “good” (8% and 9% respectively), these figures are a little better than sub 5% scores recorded earlier in the year.

The most marked change over the last 12 months is the collapse in consumer confidence in Brazil.  Last year, 51% of online Brazilian citizens said their economy was in good shape.  Now that figure stands at 28%.

Simon Atkinson, Assistant Chief Executive at Ipsos, said:

“This survey marks something of a watershed, with economic confidence on both sides of the Atlantic now showing signs of sustained improvement.  The next question is whether sentiment in the troubled Eurozone economies have now hit the bottom and are starting to turn the corner”.

Notes to Editors:

• The survey instrument is conducted monthly in 25 countries via the Ipsos Online Panel system.
• For the results of the survey herein, a total sample of 18,503 adults age 18-64 in the US and Canada, and age 16-64 in all other countries, was interviewed between 6-20^th August 2013.
• Approximately 1000+ individuals were surveyed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the United States of America.    
• Approximately 500+ individuals were surveyed in Argentina, Belgium, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and Turkey.    
• Sample characteristics: the sample is made up of “Primary Consumers” who are a comparable, standardized weighted group in each country based on a minimum level of education and income.
• For a majority of the countries surveyed the Primary Consumer population is also representative of the general population based on the latest census. More details can be found at www.ipsosglobaladvisor.com
• The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 5.0 percentage points.           
• For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.