Jobs a concern for consumers

Though optimistic about the country's current growth pattern and economic health, Indian consumers worry about employment generation prospects, says a consumer confidence survey.

In the MasterIndex survey conducted by MasterCard International, Indian consumer confidence registered a score of 76.4 on a scale of 0-100, up 3.3 points from 73.1 registered six-months ago and up 12.9 points from 63.5 reported when the survey began in 2004.

Results of the MasterIndex consumer confidence survey for the first half of 2006 reveal Indian consumers are now more confident than at any time over the last two and a half years, a statement from MasterCard International said.

Conducted bi-annually in selected markets in South Asia, West Asia and Africa, the survey analyses consumers' perceptions of economic conditions in the next six months, it said.

Scores are based on respondents' answers to questions relating to five variables: Employment, Economy, Regular Income, Stock Market and Quality of Life.

Indian consumers' sentiment on the economy increased to 75.0 as against 67.8 six months ago, quality of life increased to 77.4 from 74.9 and sentiment about the stock market had the greatest improvement with a score of 89.5 as against 79.5 six months ago.

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