The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions measures consumer confidence, major concerns and spending intentions among more than 29,000 respondents with Internet access in 58 countries.
In the latest round of the survey, conducted November 10–27, 2012, consumer confidence rose in one-third (33%) of global markets measured by Nielsen, compared to a 52-percent increase in the previous quarter.
In key economies, confidence fell by one point in the United States (89), rose two points in China (108), increased one point in Germany (87) and remained flat in Japan (59).
"Consumers around the world grappled with increasing economic concerns as the Euro zone crisis spread from troubled to core countries, the United States fiscal cliff threat loomed large, and China's rising inflation sparked monetary policy action," said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. "Consumers are proceeding with caution in 2013 and showed renewed discretionary spending restraint in the last quarter amid further global economic and political uncertainty."
Other key facts from the report include:Global- Consumer confidence declined one point to 91 in Q4
- 33 of 58 countries posted lower confidence levels than Q3
- Discretionary saving and spending patterns declined
- Recessionary mindset improved to 59%, down from 62% in Q3
Regional- North Americans showed signs of economic improvement
- eclining confidence in Europe spread from troubled to core countries
- eveloping Asia-Pacific markets outperformed developed ones
- Latin Americans were confident for year ahead
- Confidence declined among Middle Easterners/Africans
Full report:
www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/reports-downloads/2012/consumer-confidence--concerns-and-spending-intentions-around-the.html 
