Consumer confidence in the performance of the economy has improved, compared to its lowest point in November. However, it is still at low levels, according to the School of Statistics of the University of Costa Rica.
In November 2018, the confidence index stood at 28.2 points out of 100. Three months later it increased to 34.8 points.
This rebound in confidence and the level achieved means that consumers perceive less pessimism towards the economy, although they are still far from showing optimism,”
said Johnny Madrigal, researcher at this academic unit.
According to the specialist, the approval of the fiscal reform at the end of last December could help to reduce uncertainty in the population.
In terms of economic situation, optimism about the performance of the economy is lower in those who have great economic difficulties and higher in the group of people with more possibilities of saving.
For the next 12 months, on average 65% of Costa Rican consumers expect increases in interest rates, the exchange rate, and the cost of fuel.
Regarding the purchase of durable goods, such as vehicles and homes, seven out of 10 consumers believe that it is not a good time to purchase these goods, for which they usually resort to debt.
The government’s economic policy rating reveals that 52.7% of consumers currently believe that the government is doing a poor job.
The Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in the first half of February to 700 household heads across the country.