Consumer confidence has maintained the upward trend seen over the past six months, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi survey. It shows the number of people expecting conditions to improve over the next year has increased for the seventh consecutive month, writes Jane O'Sullivan, Markets Correspondent.
The latest consumer monitor survey, taken between March 9th and April 1st, shows 30 per cent of respondents expect employment levels and the economy to improve over the next 12 months compared to 24 per cent who expect conditions to worsen.
At 43 per cent, a significant number of those surveyed still expect conditions to remain the same while 3 per cent "don't know". The survey shows a continuation of the trend seen since the low-point last August when 70 per cent of respondents were pessimistic about the economic outlook while just 7 per cent took a more optimistic view.
The survey, conducted as part of a TNS mrbi monthly telephone poll, asked: "Thinking about the year ahead, do you think employment levels and the Irish economy in general are set to improve, weaken or remain the same?"
The figures show confidence is higher among men than women and is highest among those who are retired. Some 40 per cent of pensioners expect conditions to improve while 19 per cent expect them to weaken and 33 per cent believe they will remain the same.
Housewives were the most pessimistic occupational group with 24 per cent expecting an improvement in conditions against 34 per cent who expected a deterioration. Among the working population, confidence was higher with 30 per cent of those surveyed anticipating an improvement while 23 per cent expected a deterioration in conditions in the year ahead.
A breakdown of the results by gender shows men are more positive about the future than women with 35 per cent of men surveyed expecting a pick-up in conditions while 21 per cent expected them to disimprove.
More women expected conditions to weaken than to improve with 27 per cent of female respondents negative about the future compared to 25 per cent expressing a positive view.
An analysis of the results by social class shows confidence is highest among the AB social category with 34 per cent looking for an improvement in conditions.
In geographic terms, the most optimistic respondents lived in Munster and Leinster where 31 per cent of those surveyed expected an improvement in the year ahead.
Confidence was slightly lower in Dublin and Connacht/Ulster where 29 per cent of those questioned looked for an upturn.
Among those classified as "chief income earners", more than a third or 34 per cent looked for an improvement in the economy and employment levels while a fifth, or 20 per cent, foresaw a weakening. Those who were not the chief income earners in their families were less upbeat, with just 26 per cent expecting an improvement against 28 per cent who expected conditions to weaken.
Among those in business, the mood was more positive with 36 per cent looking for improved conditions compared to 18 per cent who anticipate a deterioration.
