UK consumer confidence index
UK consumer confidence index stood at 100.91 in Sep 2026, according to OECD Short-Term Economic Statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Confidence and leading indicators table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1985 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Confidence and leading indicators table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer confidence | 100.91 | 100.23 | 99.41 | 98.64 | 98.24 | 98.23 | 98.69 | 99.29 | 99.71 | 99.74 | |
| Reference series (GDP) | 100.49 | 100.42 | 100.34 | 100.26 | 100.18 | 100.13 | |||||
| Composite leading indicator | 101.38 | 101.14 | 100.86 | 100.61 | 100.43 | 100.36 | 100.39 | 100.48 | 100.58 | 100.66 |
Understanding UK consumer confidence index
Public sentiment regarding personal financial health, major household purchases, and general economic prospects across the United Kingdom is quantified through harmonised polling questionnaires. This aggregate index combines multiple sub-questions into a single metric, distinguishing itself from specialised manufacturing or financial market series by directly capturing the mood of everyday consumers. Excluded from this measure are corporate investment plans, industrial production metrics, and hard macroeconomic statistics such as retail sales volumes or inflation rates.
Monthly figures are seasonally adjusted to remove predictable calendar distortions, though early survey estimates remain susceptible to minor revisions as complete questionnaires are processed. Observers should evaluate changes over consecutive periods with regard to shifting monetary policy expectations and labour market conditions, noting that sentiment indicators frequently exhibit greater volatility than actual consumer spending behaviour. Comparing this index directly against hard retail data requires acknowledging that perceived economic anxiety does not always translate immediately into reduced purchasing activity.
Frequently asked questions
- How is consumer confidence measured across the United Kingdom?
- Standardised monthly surveys ask households to evaluate their financial situation, major purchases, and broader economic expectations.
- Does this index measure actual spending amounts?
- No, it tracks subjective household attitudes and perceptions rather than the monetary value of retail transactions.
- Why might confidence diverge from actual economic growth?
- Consumer sentiment is heavily influenced by news media and sentiment shocks, which can temporarily decouple from underlying income and employment trends.