UK consumer confidence balance
UK consumer confidence balance stood at -7 Percentage balance 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 survey (OECD) | |||||||||||
| Consumer confidence, composite | -7 | -8 | -11.75 | -17 | -16.75 | -19 | -15.25 | -12.5 | -9.5 | -11 | |
| Expected economic situation | -22 | -23 | -28 | -36 | -38 | -43 | -37 | -31 | -31 | -29 |
Understanding UK consumer confidence balance
Net sentiment scores compiled from household interviews across the United Kingdom form this composite gauge of consumer confidence, aggregating individual views on personal financial situations, major purchases, and general economic trajectories. Unlike narrower indices focused purely on household budgets or inflation expectations, this overarching metric combines multiple qualitative dimensions into a single barometer representing the collective psychological outlook of domestic consumers within the United Kingdom.
Interpreting these monthly readings requires accounting for inherent seasonal moods and recurring holiday optimism that frequently distort raw survey responses before statistical adjustment. Analysts should evaluate month-on-month shifts through moving averages rather than isolated monthly releases, keeping in mind that qualitative sentiment metrics often diverge from hard quantitative figures like retail sales volumes due to shifting consumer expectations versus actual purchasing behaviour.
Frequently asked questions
- What exact questions do households answer for this composite score?
- Respondents evaluate their past financial situation, expected future finances, general economic expectations, and the suitability of current conditions for major purchases.
- Why does this consumer index differ from retail sales data?
- This series measures psychological perceptions and intentions, whereas retail sales track actual transaction volumes recorded at tills.
- How frequently are these household sentiment balances updated?
- The survey results are processed and published on a monthly basis following standardised harmonised methodology.