This wave of the Ipsos B&A Consumer Confidence Barometer was conducted from 13th – 25th November 2025.
Consumer confidence has remained relatively stable, with a net rating of -48 (those feeling downbeat versus those feeling more upbeat). This compares with -47 in the previous wave of research.
61% believe that the country will be worse off in the year ahead (no change) with just 13% expecting the country’s economy to improve.
Relatively speaking, Dubliners continue to be most upbeat. As seen previously, confidence is lowest among females and C2DEs.
Those households who claim to be “coping” with the cost-of-living now stands at 59%. This is the lowest that we have seen this year – in addition, over one in five (22%) say that they are struggling to some extent.
Inflation has subsided slightly to +2.8% as we came towards the end of the year, driven by the essentials. Education costs (+8.9%), clothing and footware (+5.7%) and food and non-alcoholic drink purchases (4.1%) are outpacing the overall rate of inflation.
Over two in five (42%) expect their net income to decline in the next 12 months, with just over one in five (22%) being positive about the year ahead.
In total, half think they will spend less over the year ahead, with just one in eight (12%) planning to spend more.
This mirrors saving intentions – 48% plan to save less, compared to just 22% planning to boost their savings over the next 12 months.
While householders still feel that their net asset wealth will increase over the next year, their sentiment toward asset growth over the next 12 months has softened as we reached the end of the year – one in three (33%) believing that the value of their personal assets will grow.
The gap (those who think their asset value will increase minus those anticipating a decrease) stands at +13% versus a 2025 average of +15%.
Survey results are based on a sample of 1,022 adults aged 16+, quota controlled in terms of age, gender, socio-economic class, and region to reflect the profile of the adult population of the Republic of Ireland. All interviewing was conducted via Ipsos B&A’s Acumen Online Barometer.
For more information, please contact Paul Moran (Director): paul.moran@ipsos.com
