Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator: 2026 Quarter 1
An official statistics publication.
The latest results for consumer sentiment in Scotland based on a quarterly survey of households’ current sentiment and future expectations of economic performance, household finances and attitudes to spending.
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Key Points
In Q1 2026, the Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator rose by 0.2 points over the quarter to -8.6.
During the quarter, there were improvements in sentiment in January and February, followed by a sharp fall in sentiment in March, to its lowest monthly level since April 2023, following the rise in energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Over the year, consumer sentiment has weakened, with the indicator falling by 2.1 points compared to Q1 2025.
The consumer sentiment indicator is currently 6.2 points weaker than the quarterly series average of -2.4.[1]
Figure 1: The Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator rose by 0.2 points over the quarter to -8.6 in Q1 2026.
Consumer Sentiment, quarterly net balance, Q2 2013 to Q1 2026.
Introduction
The Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator is a composite measure of consumer sentiment in Scotland based on a quarterly survey of households’ current sentiment and future expectations of: Scottish economic performance, security of households’ financial position, and attitudes to spending money. Excel tables of the results are available online alongside the publication, and include a monthly breakdown of the results.
The latest survey for Q1 2026 was conducted online between 1 January and 31 March 2026, with a total sample size of 3,195 adults. The indicator represents the balance of respondents who report that consumer sentiment is positive/negative.
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
These statistics are official statistics. Official statistics are statistics that are produced by crown bodies, those acting on behalf of crown bodies, or those specified in statutory orders, as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.
More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.
[1] The quarterly series average is from Q2 2013 to Q1 2026.