Emerging markets’ Consumer Confidence Index is higher than developed markets
KUALA LUMPUR: The latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence reported that consumers in the Asia-Pacific region remain optimistic despite uncertainty in the global economy. Overall, Asia-Pacific saw a slight increase from 57.2 Index points in the first half of 2012 to 59.7 Index points with improvement recorded in most key indicators: employment (54.0 to 56.6 Index points), economy (51.8 to 57.2 Index points), quality of life (51.7 to 55.3 Index points) and stock market (56.5 to 57.6 Index points). Regular income remained the same at 71.9 Index points.
However, nine out of fourteen countries in the region recorded positive sentiment only when compared to the first half of 2012 including Malaysia which scored 71.2 Index points. Increase in the index point was only found in Indonesia (from 57.4 to 87.5) and the Philippines (from 65.2 to 78.8). MasterCard said the rising investment from both domestic and international investors is the main reason of boosting consumer confidence in Indonesia and the Philippines. This evidence proved that the ability to leverage domestic demand effectively can support economic growth in the context of weakened global demand.
The MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence is based on a survey conducted between 7 November to 23 December 2012 on 11,339 respondents aged 18 – 64 in 25 countries within Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
