March 2026: Global consumer confidence declines for first time in nearly a year

Ipsos’ Global Consumer Confidence Index is down 0.6 points this month and sits at 49.4. The index declined for the first time in eleven months. However, it still sits 1.2 points higher than its reading from the same time last year.

Among 30 economies measured, just two countries show significant gains in consumer sentiment, while eight countries show a notable decline. The Current and Investment sub-indices both declined nearly a point this month, while the Expectations and Jobs sub-indices both show stability.  

Based only on the “legacy 20 countries” tracked since March 2010, the Index would read at 47.3, in line (-0.2 point) with its reading from February. 

Sentiment is down in Latin America. Argentina (-4.4 points) and Colombia (-2.9 points) both declined significantly this month. In contrast, no Latin American country increased significantly this month. 

Consumer confidence is also down in the Asia-Pacific. Indonesia (-3.2 points) and Singapore (-2.3 points) are both down this month. However, South Korea (+4.1 points) has risen to its highest point since tracking began in 2010.

The Global Consumer Confidence Index is the average of all surveyed countries’ Overall or “National” indices. This month’s installment is based on a monthly survey of more than 21,000 adults under the age of 75 from 30 countries conducted on Ipsos’ Global Advisor online platform. This survey was fielded between February 20 and March 6, 2026.

Consumer sentiment in 30 countries

Among the 30 countries, Malaysia (60.8) holds the highest National Index score. Malaysia is the only country this month to hold a National Index score of 60 or higher.

Twelve other countries now show a National Index at or above the 50-point mark: Indonesia (59.2), India (57.3), Thailand (56.4), Sweden (55.9), Singapore (54.0), the U.S. (53.3), Mexico (53.0), Brazil (52.2), Colombia (51.8), Spain (51.2), Australia (50.6), and South Korea (50.0).

In contrast, Türkiye (36.2) is the only country this month to show a National Index below the 40-point mark. 

Compared to 12 months ago, six countries now show a significant drop in consumer sentiment. In contrast, thirteen countries show a significant increase from March 2025, most of all in South Korea (+10.6 points).

Trends

Ipsos’ Global Consumer Confidence Index (based on all 30 countries surveyed) currently reads at 49.4. Based only on the “legacy 20 countries” tracked since March 2010, it would read at 47.3.

The Current sub-index, reflecting consumers’ perceptions of the economic climate and their current purchasing, jobs, and investment confidence, is down 0.9 point and now sits at 39.9. In total, four countries show a significant month-over-month gain (at least 2 points) in their Current sub-index, while eleven countries show a significant loss.  

The Investment sub-index, indicative of consumers’ perception of the investment climate, declined 0.9 point this month and is now at 42.3. Just three countries show a significant gain in their Investment sub-index this month, compared to eleven countries that show a significant loss. 

The Expectations sub-index, indicative of consumer expectations about future economic conditions, shows stability this month (-0.2 point) and now sits at 58.0. Four countries show significant gains in their Expectations sub-index, and six countries show significant losses.

The Jobs sub-index, reflecting perceptions about jobs security and the jobs market, is stable this month (-0.1 point) and is now at 58.6. Six countries show significant gains in their Jobs sub-index, and nine countries show significant losses.

Of note, Argentina, Indonesia, Israel, and Singapore show significant losses (of at least 2 points) across all four sub-indices. In contrast, South Korea is the only country to show significant month-over-month gains across all four sub-indices.