Bangkok--2 Dec--124 Communications
MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence: Thai Optimism Rebounds
Consumer Outlook at its Most Positive Since 2006
Thai consumers are approaching the next six months with more optimism than the previous three years surveyed, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence survey.
Now in its 18th year, the MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence is the region’s most comprehensive and longest running consumer confidence survey. Released twice a year, the Index is based on a survey which measures consumer confidence on prevailing expectations in the market for the next six months based on five economic indicators: Economy, Employment, Stock Market, Regular Income and Quality of Life. The Index score is calculated with zero as the most pessimistic, 100 as most optimistic and 50 as neutral. The Index and its accompanying reports do not represent MasterCard financial performance.
Consumer confidence in Thailand witnessed an improvement from six months ago (57.3 up from 50.6). This is also the most positive consumers have been in the last four years.
“After a few years of pessimism, we are seeing positive sentiments from the Thai consumers. This is a wonderful and encouraging start for 2011 for Thailand while 15 of the 24 markets in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa poll reflected a drop in consumer sentiment looking ahead. It is also the best index compared to the lowest score Thailand has ever recorded (23.0) in H1 2009 ” says Eileen Wee, vice president and senior country manager, Thailand, MasterCard Worldwide.
Overall consumer outlook has become positive across four of the five indicators that make up the Index compared to six months ago: Employment (56.7 vs 49.5 six months ago), Economy (64.4 vs 52.3), Quality of Life (48.4 vs 36.7) and the Stock Market (58.3 vs 51.8).Only Regular Income dropped from 62.7 to 58.6.
The latest survey was conducted from 13 September to 11 November 2010 and involved 10,502 consumers from 24 markets across Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Data collection was via internet surveys, personal, telephone and Computer Aided Telephone interviews, with the questionnaire translated to the local language wherever appropriate and necessary.
In the Asia/Pacific region, markets saw a marginal dip in its consumer confidence index score from six months ago (68.0 down from 69.1 six months ago). Amongst the 14 markets, Vietnam (90.3), Singapore (86.1) and Philippines (80.1) topped the list with significantly higher consumer confidence compared to other markets in the region. Consumers in the Japan (20.2) and New Zealand (53.3) on the other hand are the most pessimistic.
NOTE TO EDITORS: This news release is distributed with an accompanying chart that shows current MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence scores by market compared with several significant points in the history of the survey.
MARKETS 1H2011 2H 2010 1H 2010 2H 2009
Vietnam 90.3 93.7 90.0 60.9
Singapore 86.1 86.6 79.4 31.2
Philippines 80.1 59.3 49.7 40.5
China 79.4 83.0 85.3 60.8
Hong Kong 74.7 76.6 60.0 24.7
India 73.0 68.2 68.8 68.0
Malaysia 66.2 67.9 66.3 27.8
Australia 63.0 74.1 69.5 24.1
Taiwan 62.5 65.7 56.5 39.4
Thailand 57.3 50.6 55.3 23.0
Indonesia 56.1 61.4 67.0 49.2
South Korea 55.7 54.1 59.8 28.8
New Zealand 53.3 65.9 69.7 21.5
Japan 20.2 27.8 24.4 21.5
Total Asia/Pacific 68.0 69.1 66.3 38.7
Egypt 47.7 45.5 59.5 32.3
Kuwait 80.4 96.9 70.9 49.5
Lebanon 54.3 44.6 55.4 64.4
Qatar 83.6 65.8 89.2 71.4
Saudi Arabia 95.1 85.0 83.2 67.1
U.A.E. 73.6 82.4 86.1 29.6
Total Middle East 71.6 69.2 74.5 49.9
Kenya 87.3 73.5 47.9 -
Morocco 65.3 78.2 66.1 -
Nigeria 94.3 83.2 89.4 -
South Africa 54.7 58.6 59.8 67.3
Total Africa 79.0 73.7 66.4 -
Contact: 124 Communications Consulting, 0 2718 1886
Elizabeth Wongwasin,
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Eakkapop Phanturat,
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