Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 59.4 in May 2026 from 53.3 in April, reversing more than half of the decline recorded over the previous two months as easing energy costs and government support measures improved confidence. The rebound followed a ceasefire in the Middle East that reduced fears of severe economic disruption and helped lower fuel prices, while stronger-than-expected public finances boosted expectations of further support for households and businesses. All five components of the survey increased, with the strongest improvement seen in views on the labor market. Consumers also became less negative about their financial outlook and spending plans, though sentiment remained well below the long-term average of 83.3, highlighting continued cost-of-living pressures. source: Irish League of Credit Unions

Consumer Confidence in Ireland increased to 59.40 points in May from 53.30 points in April of 2026. Consumer Confidence in Ireland averaged 83.27 points from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 130.90 points in January of 2000 and a record low of 39.60 points in July of 2008. This page provides the latest reported value for - Ireland Consumer Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Ireland Consumer Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Consumer Confidence in Ireland increased to 59.40 points in May from 53.30 points in April of 2026. Consumer Confidence in Ireland is expected to be 62.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ireland Consumer Confidence is projected to trend around 69.00 points in 2027 and 75.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-28 12:00 AM
Consumer Confidence
Apr 53.3 56.7 55
2026-05-25 10:50 PM
Consumer Confidence
May 59.4 53.3 51.5
2026-06-25 11:01 PM
Consumer Confidence
Jun 59.4 62


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 59.40 53.30 points May 2026
Consumer Credit 14436.00 14340.00 EUR Million Apr 2026
Consumer Spending 37968.00 37751.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 405066.00 386370.00 EUR Million Dec 2024
Gasoline Prices 2.11 2.24 USD/Liter May 2026
Households Debt to GDP 23.90 24.40 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Households Debt to Income 75.10 82.33 percent Dec 2024
Household Saving Ratio 10.90 14.70 percent Dec 2025
Private Sector Credit 176514.00 175841.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Retail Sales MoM -0.20 -0.50 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales YoY -0.50 0.90 percent Apr 2026


Ireland Consumer Confidence
In Ireland, the Consumer Sentiment Index survey covers a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults. The questionnaire assesses respondents’ perceptions on the general economy in the previous 12 months as well as expectations for next 12 months; perceptions of recent trends in unemployment and inflation; recent trends and likely future evolution in the household’s financial situation as well as savings and major purchases intentions. The Consumer Sentiment Index is calculated as the percentage of favourable replies minus the percentage of unfavourable replies, plus 100. The indicator varies on a scale of 0 to 200; a value of 0 indicates extreme lack of confidence, 100 neutrality and 200 extreme confidence.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
59.40 53.30 130.90 39.60 1996 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
Irish Consumer Sentiment Improves in May
Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 59.4 in May 2026 from a forty-month low of 53.3 in April, reversing more than half of the decline recorded over the previous two months as easing energy costs and government support measures improved confidence. The rebound followed a ceasefire in the Middle East that reduced fears of severe economic disruption and helped lower fuel prices, while stronger-than-expected public finances boosted expectations of further support for households and businesses. Still, sentiment remained well below the survey’s long-term average of 83.3, reflecting persistent concerns over living costs and economic uncertainty. A special survey question showed that only 56% of households could cover an unexpected €1,000 expense using savings or income, while around one in four would need to borrow from non-bank lenders, sell assets, or could not cope, underscoring persistent financial strains across Irish households.
2026-05-25
Irish Consumer Sentiment Slips to Over 3-Year Low
Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 53.3 in April 2026 from 56.7 in the previous month, marking its lowest level since December 2022 and extending the decline for a second straight month. Still, the 3.4-point drop was far milder than March’s sharp 8.5-point fall, hinting the pace of deterioration is easing. The two-month slide also remains less severe than a year earlier, when U.S. tariff concerns hit sentiment. Survey authors noted Irish consumers are bracing for tougher conditions, but not in outright distress over current finances. Dublin recently trimmed its 2026 growth forecast to 1.5–2.1%, with the outlook hinging on how inflation responds to ongoing Middle East tensions.
2026-04-28
Irish Consumer Sentiment Hits 3-Year Low
Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 56.7 in March 2026 from 65.2 in February, marking its lowest level in three years as escalating Middle East tensions weighed on economic confidence. The decline was also the biggest monthly drop since April 2025, when US tariff concerns rattled sentiment. “The fall reflects a marked decline in consumer confidence rather than a complete collapse, given the scale of the drop is broadly similar to that seen almost a year ago”, the survey's authors said. Households are becoming more cautious, particularly in spending plans, as concerns over economic fallout and rising energy costs intensify. The reading aligns with broader euro area trends, where consumer confidence fell to its lowest since late 2023. Still, the central bank raised inflation forecasts to 2.9% for 2026 and 2.6% for 2027 due to energy pressures, while expecting only a modest slowdown in growth. The economy expanded by 4.9% in 2025, even as sentiment stayed subdued.
2026-03-27