• Risks to economy and rising living costs continue to weigh on sentiment

• Irish consumers less concerned than their US counterparts but more nervous than those in Euro area or UK as 2025 ended

• Special questions ask what Irish consumers saw as encouraging or disappointing in economic and financial developments in 2025 

  • Survey suggests consumers see disconnect between Ireland's strong growth performance and lack of progress on broader economic goals in 2025

  • Consumer thinking split on Ireland’s economic performance in 2025 with 34% saying it was encouraging and 25% saying it was disappointing

  • 72% of consumers see progress on containing the cost of living as disappointing, 12% view it as encouraging

  • 71% see progress on housing as disappointing while 15% regard it as encouraging.

Speaking on the release of the December data and analysis, David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions noted; "The subdued December sentiment survey suggests that Irish consumers feel a difficult year is ending with continuing economic and financial challenges at home and abroad. Irish consumers can rely on their local credit union for guidance and support to help them build a better financial future in 2026 and beyond.

Summary

Irish consumer sentiment held steady at a fairly subdued level in December. A small and perhaps surprising easing in cost-of-living concerns coupled with continued encouraging news on Irish economic growth offset some increased negativity around the jobs market.

While there was no significant monthly change in consumer sentiment, the December 2025 reading was markedly lower than that recorded twelve months earlier. The past year has seen a broadly based downgrade of Irish consumer thinking in relation to economic conditions and their own financial circumstances.
The coincidence of a notably riskier economic environment and the reality of continued increases in the cost-of-living almost inevitably prompted a marked drop in Irish consumer confidence over the past twelve months.