Recessionary Sentiment Around the World in Q4 2015: Nielsen
Quoting the report:
“Recessionary sentiment was strongest and above 90 percent in:
Venezuela (96 percent),
Ukraine (95 percent),
Brazil (93 percent), and
South Korea (91 percent).
“Sentiment was lowest and below 40 percent in:
China (29 percent),
Czech Republic (33 percent),
Denmark (34 percent),
New Zealand (37 percent), and
Germany (38 percent).”
In several additional comments, Nielsen points to specific markets and regions:
Global consumer confidence declined two points from the third quarter to 97–the same score as the start of the year.
Cutting back on out-of-home entertainment was one of the top three savings strategies in every region in the fourth quarter, with the highest level reported in Latin America (53 percent).
Fears about terrorism escalated to new highs in North America and Europe.
Consumer confidence in the fourth quarter increased in 26 of 61 markets measured by Nielsen (43 percent of measured markets).
Consumer confidence in all three sub-Saharan markets measured by Nielsen (Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya) finished 2015 above an index score of 100.
Ups and Downs in the UK
Steve Smith, Nielsen’s Managing Director for the UK and Ireland has a separate report out with results that show a fall in confidence overall but rising sentiment about spending.
“The UK Consumer Confidence Index dipped two points to 101 in Q4 2015, from 103 in Q3. In contrast, confidence across Europe as a whole increased four points to 81. A score over 100 indicates degrees of optimism, below 100, degrees of pessimism.
“Terrorism and immigration are currently the two biggest concerns among UK consumers. The latest results show terrorism anxiety has hit its highest-ever level, with 32 percent of U.K. consumers citing it as their biggest or second-biggest concern – more than double the level a year earlier (13 percent). Immigration concerns have increased 5 percentage points over the same period to 22 percent.”
At the same time, “the number of UK consumers feeling confident about making purchases,” Smith writes, “has hit 52 percent, rising above the 50-percent mark for the first time” since the survey began asking the question in 2006’s third quarter. Smith goes on:
“For the first time, our study shows the majority of U.K. consumers are now feeling positive about spending. A succession of favourable factors – such as a glut of retail promotions, falling fuel prices and a supermarket price war – is helping to make our money go further, leaving more to spend on non-essentials such as leisure and entertainment.”
With the global Consumer Confidence Index standing at 97, the UK becomes Europe’s second-most-confident country, Denmark being first.
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