The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index edged up to -23 in May 2026 from -25 in the previous month, which had marked the lowest reading since October 2023 amid worries about the Iran war. The result defied market estimates of -28, suggesting households were slightly less pessimistic. Even so, GfK consumer insights director Neil Bellamy cautioned that the uptick was unlikely to mark a sustained recovery in sentiment. The savings measure dropped sharply, down 10 points, indicating many households are dipping into reserves to meet everyday expenses as living costs remain high. Meanwhile, the gauge tracking major purchase intentions slipped two points to -20, its lowest since January 2025, with lower-income groups especially reluctant to commit to big-ticket spending. Bellamy added that while inflation eased in April, price pressures are expected to re-emerge, and uncertainty over interest rates continues to weigh on confidence and spending plans. source: GfK Group

Consumer Confidence in the United Kingdom increased to -23 points in May from -25 points in April of 2026. Consumer Confidence in the United Kingdom averaged -11.20 points from 1981 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 10.00 points in June of 1987 and a record low of -49.00 points in September of 2022. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Consumer Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Consumer Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Consumer Confidence in the United Kingdom increased to -23 points in May from -25 points in April of 2026. Consumer Confidence in the United Kingdom is expected to be -29.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Consumer Confidence is projected to trend around -24.00 points in 2027 and -20.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-23 01:30 PM
Gfk Consumer Confidence
Apr -25 -21 -24 -23
2026-05-21 11:01 PM
Gfk Consumer Confidence
May -23 -25 -28 -27
2026-06-18 11:01 PM
Gfk Consumer Confidence
Jun -23 -29


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 9.00 9.07 percent Mar 2026
CBI Distributive Trades -46.00 -68.00 Net Balance May 2026
GfK Consumer Confidence -23.00 -25.00 points May 2026
BoE Consumer Credit 1895.00 1975.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Consumer Spending 419202.00 416740.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 442628.00 436779.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Gasoline Prices 2.14 2.13 USD/Liter May 2026
Households Debt to GDP 73.90 73.90 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Net Lending to Individuals MoM 8000.00 7200.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Personal Savings 9.90 9.10 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales ex Fuel MoM -0.40 0.10 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales MoM -1.30 0.60 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales YoY 0.00 1.40 percent Apr 2026


United Kingdom Consumer Confidence
In the United Kingdom, the consumer confidence survey measures the level of optimism that consumers have about the performance of the economy in the next 12 months. The GfK Consumer Confidence is derived from the survey of about 2,000 consumers which are ask to rate the relative level of past and future economic conditions including personal financial situation, climate for major purchases, overall economic situation and savings level.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-23.00 -25.00 10.00 -49.00 1981 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
UK Consumer Sentiment Improves Slightly, Recovery Doubtful
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index edged up to -23 in May 2026 from -25 in the previous month, which had marked the lowest reading since October 2023 amid worries about the Iran war. The result defied market estimates of -28, suggesting households were slightly less pessimistic. Even so, GfK consumer insights director Neil Bellamy cautioned that the uptick was unlikely to mark a sustained recovery in sentiment. The savings measure dropped sharply, down 10 points, indicating many households are dipping into reserves to meet everyday expenses as living costs remain high. Meanwhile, the gauge tracking major purchase intentions slipped two points to -20, its lowest since January 2025, with lower-income groups especially reluctant to commit to big-ticket spending. Bellamy added that while inflation eased in April, price pressures are expected to re-emerge, and uncertainty over interest rates continues to weigh on confidence and spending plans.
2026-05-21
UK Consumer Confidence Plummets to 2-1/2-Year Low
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index dropped four points to -25 in April 2026, its largest decline in a year and the lowest level since October 2023, falling short of market expectations of -24. The sharp downturn reflects deepening concerns over the economic fallout from escalating Middle East tensions, with pessimism spreading across both personal finances and the broader UK economy. Households are increasingly anxious about rising prices, particularly at fuel pumps, which are straining budgets, as well as the prospect of further cost hikes in the months ahead.
2026-04-23
UK Consumer Confidence Hits 11-Month Low
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index fell to -21 in March 2026 from -19 in February, marking its lowest level in nearly a year as concerns over the Middle East conflict’s impact on inflation and growth weighed on sentiment. The largest decline came in households’ assessment of the general economic outlook for the next 12 months, which dropped 6 points, while views of personal finances remained steady. The report also showed a 4-point fall in willingness to make major purchases and a 6-point rise in the savings rate. British consumers faced surging energy costs, with petrol prices up roughly 50% since the Iran war began, while government support for households reliant on heating oil remained limited. Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, said: “People simply do not feel the economy is robust enough to ride out the knock-on effects from the Middle East conflict.”
2026-03-27