The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa edged up to -7 in Q1 2026, the second consecutive quarterly increase, from -9 in the previous period. This was the highest reading since Q4 2024, supported by lower interest rates, soaring stock prices and a stronger currency. The survey, which was conducted before the Middle East conflict began in late February, showed improved confidence among high-income households. In contrast, lower-income groups grew more pessimistic due to weak employment growth in late 2025 and stricter social grant compliance rules. "Unfortunately, the ripple effects from the Iranian war may well see a U-turn in high- and middle-income confidence during the second quarter," said FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya. source: Bureau for Economic Research (BER)

Consumer Confidence in South Africa increased to -7 points in the first quarter of 2026 from -9 points in the fourth quarter of 2025. Consumer Confidence in South Africa averaged -2.41 points from 1982 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 26.00 points in the first quarter of 2018 and a record low of -36.00 points in the second quarter of 1985. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Consumer Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Consumer Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Consumer Confidence in South Africa increased to -7 points in the first quarter of 2026 from -9 points in the fourth quarter of 2025. Consumer Confidence in South Africa is expected to be -11.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Consumer Confidence is projected to trend around -7.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-09 08:00 AM
Consumer Confidence
Q4 -9 -13 -11
2026-03-24 08:00 AM
Consumer Confidence
Q1 -7 -9 -11
2026-06-26 08:00 AM
Consumer Confidence
Q2 -7 -10


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Prime Overdraft Rate 10.25 10.25 percent Jan 2026
Consumer Confidence -7.00 -9.00 points Mar 2026
Consumer Spending 3277648.94 3240360.44 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 5014296.00 4904765.00 ZAR Million Sep 2025
Gasoline Prices 1.26 1.26 USD/Liter Feb 2026
Households Debt to GDP 33.50 33.70 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Households Debt to Income 62.50 62.40 percent Dec 2024
Personal Savings -1.20 -1.10 percent Sep 2025
Private Sector Credit YoY 8.83 8.74 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales MoM 0.90 -0.50 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales YoY 4.20 2.50 percent Jan 2026


South Africa Consumer Confidence
In South Africa, the BER Consumer Confidence Index covers 2,500 households in metropolitan areas, cities, towns and villages. The survey is made from personal at-home interviews and assesses general economic outlook, household’s economic condition and major spending purposes. The index is computed as the difference between the share of respondents expecting an improvement from the percentage expecting a deterioration. The indicator varies on a scale of -100 to 100; a value of -100 indicates extreme lack of confidence, 0 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-7.00 -9.00 26.00 -36.00 1982 - 2026 points Quarterly

News Stream
South Africa Consumer Sentiment at Over 1-Year High
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa edged up to -7 in Q1 2026, the second consecutive quarterly increase, from -9 in the previous period. This was the highest reading since Q4 2024, supported by lower interest rates, soaring stock prices and a stronger currency. The survey, which was conducted before the Middle East conflict began in late February, showed improved confidence among high-income households. In contrast, lower-income groups grew more pessimistic due to weak employment growth in late 2025 and stricter social grant compliance rules. "Unfortunately, the ripple effects from the Iranian war may well see a U-turn in high- and middle-income confidence during the second quarter," said FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya.
2026-03-24
South Africa Consumer Sentiment Hits 1-Year High
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa rose to -9 in Q4 2025, marking a one-year high, up from -13 in the previous period, likely influenced by holiday-season spending. All three sub-indices, including the economic outlook, household financial outlook, and timing for durable goods purchases, improved, with the strongest gain in the latter, which reached a six-year high. “Apart from a further interest rate cut and an appreciation in the rand exchange rate, a number of other positive developments likely buoyed consumer sentiment towards the end of the year,” FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said. Among these were lower petrol prices, slowing food inflation, and an increase in Q3 employment.
2025-12-09
South African Consumer Sentiment Weakens in Q3
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa slipped to -13 in Q3 2025, from -10 in the previous period. The index stays well below the historical average of -1, indicating a greater degree of pessimism. Weak job creation, rising inflation, and dwindling two-pot funds have likely started to weigh on the confidence levels of the middle class,” said FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya. She warned that waning consumer confidence will likely translate into a more pronounced slowdown in real household expenditure growth toward the final quarter of the year.
2025-09-25