AMMAN — Consumer confidence in Jordan rose in the third quarter of 2026, driven by improved economic expectations, although concerns over personal finances, unemployment and inflation persisted, according to the latest Ipsos Consumer Confidence Index. 

 

The index reached 42.6 points, up 1.1 points from 41.5 in the second quarter and 6.6 points from 36 during the same period last year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The improvement was largely driven by more positive views of the local economy. The sub-index measuring confidence in the direction of the domestic economy rose 8.6 points from the previous quarter to 58.5 out of 100. The figure represents a composite index score, not the percentage of respondents expressing confidence.

 

Half of respondents expect economic conditions to improve over the next six months, while 37 per cent anticipate no change and 13 per cent expect conditions to worsen.

 

Confidence in the country's overall direction also remained relatively strong, with 64 per cent of consumers saying Jordan was moving in the right direction, according to the report.

 

Jordan ranked fourth among the 23 countries included in the report's international comparison, behind China, Saudi Arabia and India.

 

However, trends across the index's sub-components were mixed.

 

The personal financial confidence sub-index fell 3.1 points to 30.2, while the general job security confidence sub-index increased 5.2 points to 50.3.

 

Despite the overall improvement in consumer confidence, unemployment and inflation remained the leading concerns among respondents. Some 56 percent cited unemployment and job opportunities as major concerns, while 54 percent pointed to inflation.

 

The findings highlight the continued importance of employment prospects and the cost of living in shaping consumer sentiment, even as expectations for the broader economy improve, Petra said.

 

Overall, the third-quarter results point to growing optimism about Jordan's economic outlook, tempered by concerns over household finances and ongoing financial pressures.

 

Ipsos conducted the survey in September through computer-assisted telephone interviews with 1,000 people aged 18 and above across Jordan.