This wave of the Ipsos B&A Consumer Confidence Barometer was conducted from the 30th August until 9th September 2025.
Consumer confidence has improved modestly in September, with a net rating of -49 (those feeling downbeat versus those feeling more upbeat). This compares with -53 last month.
61% believe that the country will be worse off in the year ahead, with a mere 12% 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. Consumer sentiment has not recovered from the shock of a potential US trade war first mooted in April.
Those households who claim to be “coping” with the cost-of-living now stands at 64% similar to August. Many are resilient, but over one in five households (22%) continue to struggle.
Inflation has crept up, driven largely by the essentials; food and non-Aalcoholic drink purchases are nearly than twice the overall rate of inflation (4.7% versus 2.7% overall). Inflation is now at an 18-month high.
Over two in five (42%) expect their net income to decline in the next 12 months, with just one in five (21%) 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 (15%) planning to spend more.
This mirrors saving intentions – 46% plan to save less, compared to just 22% planning to boost their savings over the next 12 months.
Householders in general do believe that their net asset wealth will increase over the next year. Projected asset growth over the next 12 months remains broadly optimistic, with over one in three (37%) believing that the value of their personal assets will increase. The gap (those who think their asset value will increase minus those anticipating a decrease) stands at +19%; a four- point increase since August.
Again, this is largely driven by Dubliners; at 44%, they are significantly more likely to have a positive outlook for the value of their personal assets over the year ahead.
For more information, please contact Paul Moran (Director): paul.moran@ipsos.com or Pooja Sankhe (Senior Research Executive): pooja.sankhe@ipsos.com
