Finance

Irish consumer sentiment hits fresh 3-year low in April

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 27, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 27, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Irish consumer sentiment hits fresh 3-year low in April
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

Irish Consumer Sentiment Falls to Lowest Level Since December 2022

April 2024 Consumer Sentiment Survey Results and Economic Outlook

Recent Trends in Irish Consumer Sentiment

DUBLIN, April 28 (Reuters) - Irish consumer sentiment fell for a second successive month in April, but the pace of decline was smaller than the previous month as households started to better manage the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey dropped to 53.3 in April, its lowest level since December 2022, from 56.7 in March.

Comparison with Previous Declines

But the 3.4 point fall was much smaller than the 8.5 point decline in March and the cumulative two-month decline was also smaller than that seen a year ago in response to U.S. tariff threats.

Consumer Outlook and Financial Conditions

"While the current survey reading suggests Irish consumers are bracing themselves for tougher times ahead, they are not in total despair about the financial conditions they face at present," the survey's authors wrote.

Economic Forecasts Amid Global Uncertainty

Ireland's finance ministry last week cut its growth forecast for the economy to between 1.5% and 2.1% this year, depending on how severe the inflationary impact from the Middle East conflict turns out to be.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Susan Fenton)

Key Takeaways

  • The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index slid to 53.3 in April from 56.7 in March, marking a fresh three‑year low but with a smaller monthly fall (3.4 points vs March’s 8.5 points).
  • Consumers are less pessimistic — while bracing for tougher times, they’re not in despair, as improved coping with Middle East–induced inflation pressures is helping morale.
  • Ireland’s Finance Ministry recently cut the 2026 growth forecast to between 1.5% and 2.1%, reflecting uncertainty over energy‑related inflation from the Middle East conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Irish consumer sentiment index in April 2024?
The Irish consumer sentiment index fell to 53.3 in April 2024.
How does the April decline compare to previous months?
April's 3.4 point decline was smaller than the 8.5 point fall in March.
What factors influenced Irish consumer sentiment in April?
The conflict in the Middle East and inflation concerns were primary factors.
What does the survey indicate about Irish consumer outlook?
The survey suggests consumers expect tougher times ahead but are not in total despair.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category