Global consumer confidence rose two points in the first quarter of this year to an index of 92 driven by record confidence gains in the Middle East/Africa following social and political unrest in the region and strong-performing Asia Pacific economies.

Key Takeaways From the Q1 Report

• Asia Pacific and Middle East/Africa regions reach highest confidence levels on record
  North America rises two index points
• Southern and Easter European countries dip to new lows
• Increasing food prices trump the economy as the biggest global concern
• Rising fuel/utility prices impact spending intentions
• Regional differences prevail, with 37 percent of Asia Pacific consumers saying they are in a recession today compared with 82 percent of North Americans and 68 percent of Europeans
  
  

The Nielsen Global Online Consumer Confidence Survey, established in 2005, tracks consumer confidence, major concerns and spending intentions among more than 31,000 Internet consumers in 56 countries. Consumer confidence levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism.