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.
Part of
Results Breakdown
Composite Indicator
In Q1 2026, the Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator rose by 0.2 points to -8.6 indicating a strengthening in sentiment over the quarter. The indicator is also lower than its average since Q2 2013 (-2.4).
Three of the five sub-indicators of sentiment decreased over the quarter, covering current economic situation, current household finances and current attitudes to spending. The two other sub-indicators, covering expected economic performance and expected household financial situation, increased over the quarter.
The main driver of the strengthening in sentiment over the quarter came from an improvement in expected household financial situation, which rose 2.9 points to its highest level since Q3 2024.
On a monthly basis, all sub-indicators fell in March, which follows the rise in energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Figure 2: The strengthening in the Consumer Sentiment Indicator in the first quarter of 2026 came from improvements in sentiment on expectations of the economic situation and household finances.
|
Results (Net Balances) |
Latest Quarter (Q1 2026) |
Previous Quarter (Q4 2025) |
Change between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 |
|
Consumer Sentiment composite indicator |
-8.6 |
-8.8 |
0.2 |
|
Current indicators |
|
Empty cell |
Empty cell |
|
(a) Economy performance |
-7.7 |
-5.6 |
-2.2 |
|
(c) Households’ finances |
-9.6 |
-9.1 |
-0.5 |
|
(e) Attitude to spending |
-21.5 |
-20.9 |
-0.6 |
|
Expectation indicators |
|
|
Empty Cell |
|
(b) Economy performance - next 12 months |
-1.8 |
-3.2 |
1.4 |
|
(d) Households’ finances - next 12 months |
-2.3 |
-5.1 |
2.9 |
|
Note: The consumer sentiment indicator score is the average of the net balances for each question topic. The net balance is the difference between the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement and those reporting a weakening. Scores are subject to rounding therefore differences in scores over the quarter may not sum. |
|||
Economic Performance
The Economic Performance indicators reflect how respondents consider Scotland’s economy is currently performing relative to 12 months earlier and how they expect it will be performing in 12 months’ time relative to current performance.
Figure 3: The current economic performance indicator fell while the expected economic performance indicator increased over the quarter.
Consumer Sentiment, economic performance indicators, quarterly net balance, Q2 2013 to Q1 2026.
The net balance of Scotland’s current economic performance indicator in Q1 2026 was ‑7.7, implying that households, on balance, consider current economic performance to be weaker than 12 months ago. Current economic performance sentiment weakened over the quarter by 2.2 points and weakened over the year by 6.8 points compared to Q1 2025.
The net balance of Scotland’s expected economic performance indicator was -1.8, implying that households, on balance, expect economic performance to weaken over the next 12 months. Expected economic performance sentiment strengthened by 1.4 points over the quarter, however weakened over the year by 2.5 points compared to Q1 2025.
Household Finances
The Household Finances indicators reflect how secure respondents consider their current household financial position to be relative to 12 months earlier and how secure they expect it to be in 12 months’ time relative to its current position.
Figure 4: The current households’ finances indicator fell while expected households’ finances indicator rose over the quarter.
Consumer Sentiment, household finances indicators, quarterly net balance, Q2 2013 to Q1 2026.
The net balance of the current household financial security indicator was -9.6 in Q1 2026, implying that households, on balance, consider their current financial conditions to be less secure than 12 months ago. Sentiment on current household financial security weakened by 0.5 points over the quarter and weakened by 1.8 points over the year compared to Q1 2025.
The net balance of the expected household financial security indicator was ‑2.3 in Q1 2026, implying that households, on balance, expect their future household finances will become less secure over the next 12 months. Sentiment on expected household financial security strengthened by 2.9 points over the quarter and strengthened by 2.8 points over the year compared to Q1 2025.
Household Spending
The Household Spending indicator reflects how relaxed respondents currently feel about spending money relative to 12 months earlier.
Figure 5: The attitudes to spending indicator fell over the quarter.
Consumer Sentiment, attitudes to spending indicator, quarterly net balance, Q2 2013 to Q1 2026.
The net balance of the current attitudes to spending indicator was ‑21.5 in Q1 2026, implying that households, on balance, feel less relaxed about spending money than 12 months ago. Attitudes to spending sentiment weakened by 0.6 points over the quarter and weakened by 2.4 points over the year compared to Q1 2025.