UK Consumer Confidence Weakens in February

2026-02-27 00:12 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index fell to -19 in February 2026 from -16 in January, reversing the gains recorded over the previous two months and undershooting market expectations for an improvement to -15, as rising unemployment weighed on sentiment.

The jobless rate climbed to a post-pandemic high of 5.2% in the three months to December, while youth unemployment surged to 16.4%, its highest level in over a decade.

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, said the trend “is increasing concerns about job security, particularly given the backdrop of weak wage growth.” He added that “with fewer entry-level opportunities available, those on lower incomes are already feeling the strain and this trend risks undermining the typically more optimistic outlook held by younger age groups.” The overall decline was largely driven by deteriorating views of personal finances, with respondents reporting a four-point drop in assessments of both the past year and the year ahead.



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UK Consumer Confidence Weakens in February
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index fell to -19 in February 2026 from -16 in January, reversing the gains recorded over the previous two months and undershooting market expectations for an improvement to -15, as rising unemployment weighed on sentiment. The jobless rate climbed to a post-pandemic high of 5.2% in the three months to December, while youth unemployment surged to 16.4%, its highest level in over a decade. Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, said the trend “is increasing concerns about job security, particularly given the backdrop of weak wage growth.” He added that “with fewer entry-level opportunities available, those on lower incomes are already feeling the strain and this trend risks undermining the typically more optimistic outlook held by younger age groups.” The overall decline was largely driven by deteriorating views of personal finances, with respondents reporting a four-point drop in assessments of both the past year and the year ahead.
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