Indonesian Consumers Most Optimistic About Their Domestic Economy
According to a research report released by the Nielsen Company, Indonesian consumers are currently the world's most optimistic consumers. The report, based on a survey that was conducted between 17 February and 8 March, indicates global consumer confidence in 58 countries. It is interesting to note that countries that scored highest in the survey are mostly from Asia, particularly the Asia Pacific. Indonesia now has a confidence index of 122 points (up five points from Q4-2012).
Indonesian consumers are currently highly confident about the state of their economy due to robust annual economic growth of over six percent in recent years, and due to an increase in minimum wages.
The United States and particularly Japan (where the central bank is planning an aggressive stimulus package) saw significant increases in consumer confidence, while South European countries contain the world's least confident consumers as local unemployment rises and economies are weak.
Generally, global consumer confidence rose in Q1-2013. Consumer confidence improved in 60 percent of markets globally, compared to only 33 percent in Q4-2012.
The Consumer Confidence Index of Nielsen (an USA-based market research company) gauges consumers' economic outlook and confidence in the job market, the status of their personal finances, and readiness to spend.
Countries with highest consumer confidence:
| Country | Index Q1-2013 |
| 1. Indonesia | 122 (+5) |
| 2. India | 120 (-1) |
| 3. Philippines | 118 (-1) |
| 4. Thailand | 116 (+1) |
| 5. Brazil | 111 (0) |
Source: Nielsen Company