Most Indonesians Are Happy With Finances: Consumer Confidence Survey

Francezka Nangoy

Research firm Nielsen Indonesia says Indonesian consumers are increasingly optimistic about the economic situation in Asia Pacific and ready to spend money in the near future.

A Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey, conducted in May, shows that 82 percent of Indonesians believe their personal finances look good or excellent for the next 12 months, the firm said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Consumer confidence has increased since earlier in the year, when 79 percent felt the same.

Optimism among Indonesians was also found to be higher than among consumers in other Asia-Pacific countries, with an average of 52 percent believing that their personal finances are doing well.

Survey findings revealed that Indonesians, by a 21 percent margin over other residents in the region, “will most likely purchase the things they want and need in the next 12 months.”

“The market is very buoyant among both consumers and investors right now and with a population of 240 million, Indonesia could possibly be the next big bastion after China and India,” said Catherine Eddy, managing director of Nielsen Indonesia.

“There is general optimism about Indonesia,” she said. “We read about it in the press every day and that does impact the way people view their future. They’re confident in their job prospects and their ability to be part of the growth story that is Indonesia.”

Twenty-five percent of Indonesians surveyed said they would spend spare cash on new technology products, and 29 percent indicated that they would invest their extra money in stock shares or mutual funds.