Taiwan Consumer Sentiment Dips to Over 3-Year Low

Taiwan’s consumer confidence index edged up to 62.47 in April 2026 from March’s more than three-year low of 62.3, pointing to only a modest improvement in sentiment as external uncertainties continued to weigh on outlook, particularly escalating risks linked to the Middle East conflict. Most core sub-indicators improved, including views on domestic economic conditions (79.67 vs 79.27 in February), household finances (76.39 vs 76.05), stock investment prospects (23.09 vs 22.88), and labor market expectations (71.0 vs 70.18). In contrast, willingness to purchase durable goods softened (92.33 vs 93.01), while perceptions of price levels remained subdued (32.32 vs 32.4). Elsewhere, sentiment on current (83.16 vs 83.1) and expected health conditions (78.01 vs 77.64) improved slightly, though the timing for real estate purchases declined (89.23 vs 89.5), highlighting lingering caution among consumers.

Taiwan’s consumer confidence index fell to 62.30 in March 2026 from 66.58 in the previous month, marking its lowest level since January 2023. The decline highlighted rising household concerns over external uncertainties, particularly escalating risks tied to the Middle East conflict. Sentiment weakened across all six core sub-indicators, including domestic economic conditions (79.27 vs 83.25 in February), household finances (76.05 vs 80.0), stock investment prospects (22.88 vs 28.46), appetite for durable goods purchases (93.01 vs 97.12), labor market expectations (70.18 vs 73.52), and price levels (32.4 vs 37.11). Other gauges also declined, including the timing for real estate purchases (89.5 vs 93.76), as well as both current (83.1 vs 86.47) and expected health conditions (77.64 vs 80.83).

Taiwan’s consumer confidence index fell to 66.58 in February 2026 from a nine-month high of 67.16 in January, signaling a renewed deterioration in household sentiment. All six major sub-indicators pointed to a broadly pessimistic outlook for the next six months, with declines recorded in purchases of durable goods (97.12 vs 98.2 in January), investment opportunity in stocks (28.46 vs 29.52), domestic economic conditions (83.25 vs 83.69), household economic situation (80.0 vs 80.39), employment opportunities (73.52 vs 73.8), and price levels (37.11 vs 37.34). Other indicators also deteriorated, including the timing for real estate purchases (93.76 vs 94.95), as well as both current (86.47 vs 87.06) and expected health conditions (80.83 vs 81.17).