Consumers in the UAE are significantly more positive than the global average, which came in at 86 points, according to the latest Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.

Nielsen conducted its survey in 54 markets during September and October 2009. It made a similar survey in April.

India, Indonesia and Norway continued to rank as the world’s most confident nations, while the worst pessimists were in Latvia and Japan, Nielsen found.

“Consumers are getting more confident worldwide and moreso in the UAE. They feel more comfortable about their financial situation and job security…,” said Piyush Mathur, Nielsen’s regional managing director.

The Consumer Confidence Index measures  expectations about the economy, including inflation, job opportunities and cost of living.

Nielsen concluded that consumer confidence in the UAE has risen in parallel with improving confidence in the global economy.

Job security remained the country’s top concern, with 24 per cent of those polled fearing jobs cuts compared with 36 per cent in April.

“This year has been fairly stressful, but now consumers seem to be more concerned about their health and work-life balance,” Mathur said.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com