As Autumn arrives, we have become melancholic again, according to the latest Ipsos B&A Consumer Confidence Barometer which was conducted from the 4th to the 14th of September 2026.
Overall consumer confidence has fallen back by four points and now stands at -55 in September compared to -51 in August (those feeling pessimistic versus those feeling more upbeat).
Indeed, most key metrics have seen a degradation this month.
Two in three (67%) believe that the country will be worse off in the year ahead while just 12% expect the economy to improve.
Dubliners continue to be least negative. As seen previously, confidence is lower among females. Those aged 55+ are the generational cohort that are most downbeat. C2DE’s are also more pessimistic about the next 12 months.
The proportion of households who claim to be “coping” with the rising prices has fallen sharply. Just 57% of households feel they are comfortable (down seven points). This represents the lowest level we have seen so far on this metric. A consistent one in five (22%) say that they are struggling to some extent.
Just one in five feel their disposable income will improve this year, but this is darkened by the 45% who feel that their income will drop. This is undoubtedly a reaction to CPI now standing at 4.1% in September – its highest level since January 2024.
Over half (55%) think they will spend less over the year ahead, versus just one in eight (13%) planning to spend more, leading to a net gap of -42; a drop of three points since August.
In terms of savings, 53% expect to save less, with a fifth planning to keep more money aside. The net gap (-32) has widened by six points versus last month.
Anticipated asset growth over the next 12 months has also dropped in September. Those living in Dublin tend to be more upbeat – the net gap for them (positivity versus negativity) stands at +26, versus +7 outside the capital.
Survey results are based on a sample of 1,027 adults aged 16+, quota controlled in terms of age, gender, socio-economic class, and region to reflect the profile of the adult population of the Republic of Ireland. All interviewing was conducted via Ipsos B&A’s Acumen Online Barometer.
READ AND DOWNLOAD the full Ipsos B&A Consumer Confidence report: https://www.ipsosbanda.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ipsos-BA-Consumer-Confidence-Sept-26.pdf
For more details and the full report or more information, please contact Paul Moran: Paul.Moran@ipsos.com
