Irish Consumer Sentiment Edges Higher in October

Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index rose slightly to 61.6 in October 2026 from 61.1 in September, despite higher inflation, rising energy costs and public sector industrial action. The reading continued a pattern of modest monthly fluctuations within a narrow range since the start of the US-Iran war, leaving overall consumer confidence subdued. Consumers became more pessimistic about the Irish economic outlook and slightly more negative about their household finances, but these declines were offset by greater willingness to spend and a slight easing in concerns about employment. The survey also revealed widespread expectations that household living costs will outpace income gains in 2027, with older consumers, financially strained households and those outside Dublin particularly concerned about further increases. The report suggested that energy costs may be a greater burden for financially vulnerable and rural households.

Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 61.1 in September 2026 from 63.2 in August, marking its lowest level since May. The decline was marginal but reversed the previous month’s increase, leaving the index well below its long-term survey average of 83.0 and 10-year average of 76.1. The survey attributed the nervous mood to a combination of economic uncertainty and financial pressure, with consumers remaining consistently negative about the outlook for the Irish economy. The largest monthly decline was in the outlook for jobs, as cooling employment growth and further layoffs by technology companies weighed on confidence. Renewed concerns over sharply higher energy and motor-fuel prices, along with the threat of further inflation, also pressured sentiment, while repeated warnings over the sustainability of government spending added to economic concerns. Consumer confidence also weakened across the euro area in September after four months of recovery.

Ireland’s Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 63.2 in August 2026 from July’s 61.6, marking its highest level since February. The latest reading was close to the level recorded before the Middle East conflict. The index stood at 65.2 in February before falling to a 40-month low of 53.3 in April due to a surge in fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. However, the index remained well below the long-term survey average of 83.1 and the five-year index average of 64.1, even as the economy has continued to grow strongly. Increases in the August figures came despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures and an uncertain economic outlook. “This suggests this pressure is sustained as well as substantial,” the survey’s authors said.