This wave of the Ipsos B&A Consumer Confidence Barometer was conducted from the 17th – 29th November 2025 .
Consumer confidence has improved in November, with a net rating of -47 (those feeling downbeat versus those feeling more upbeat). This compares with -54 last month.
61% believe that the country will be worse off in the year ahead (down four points), although 14% expect the country’s economy to improve.
Relatively speaking, Dubliners continue to be most upbeat. As seen previously, confidence is lowest among females and C2DEs. Consumer sentiment is still in a holding pattern of “wait and see”.
Those households who claim to be “coping” with the cost-of-living now stands at 63%. – a marginal increase since last month. That said, yet again, one in five are struggling to some extent.
Inflation has crept up, driven largely by the essentials. Leaving aside education costs (up 8.9%), food and non-alcoholic drink purchases are outpacing the overall rate of inflation (4.3% versus 3.2% overall). Clothing and Footware stands at 4.4%. Inflation is now at a two year high.
Over two in five (41%) 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, nearly half (49%) think they will spend less over the year ahead, with just one in seven (14%) planning to spend more.
This mirrors saving intentions – 47% plan to save less, compared to just 21% 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 weakened again in November – over one in three (35%) believing that the value of their personal assets will be boosted, although 22% foresee a decline.
Survey results are based on a sample of 1,005 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
