Consumer Mindset - June 2026
Core Research’s latest Mindset study, based on fieldwork with 1,000 adults every month is available as a PDF download above.
The June Consumer Mindset shows small incremental steps, which indicate we are moving in the right direction, despite the volatility experienced in the first half of the year.
This is not just seen by our own consumer surveys, but across recent reports from the IMF, ESRI and Central Bank.
The Government has endorsed the IMF’s annual review of the Irish economy, highlighting that the Irish economy has remained resilient in the face of consecutive external shock. The Central Bank quarterly business review states that there is domestic resilience even as inflation rises among the hangover of the Middle East, and the ESRI Summer 2026 Quarterly Economic Commentary states it is “projecting continued domestic economic growth despite headwinds.”
So, what does this mean for the Irish consumers and their current mindset?
The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index, in partnership with Core Research, shows a small improvement, to 62.2 in June, for the second month in a row, rising above the recent declines experienced in March and April, and higher than the lows seen for most of 2025. Meanwhile those who are concerned about the cost of living, also registered a small drop, from the highs of March and April.
However, over half still have concerns about the cost of living, particularly among 35-54 year olds. News that electricity prices are 40% above the European average has intensified consumer anger, with seven in ten expressing negative sentiment. Many are feeling the pressure in their day-to-day expenses, while expectations that elevated prices will persist are adding to the concern.
While affordability remains a challenge for many households, especially for everyday essentials such as groceries, housing, energy, and transport, pressures eased noticeably in June. Affordability pressures fell by six percentage points in June.
The pattern of affordability pressures has also shifted. Childcare and education affordability pressures have softened slightly while pressures around holiday and travel have increased, as expected for this time of year.
On balance as consumers, people feel things are getting better and heading in the right direction – or at least not getting worse – with marginal improvements month on month and this is reflected in our mood.
We are seeing lower levels of frustration and stress than previous months, while levels of enjoyment and happiness are increasing slowly. Positive emotions now outweigh negative ones, and the gap is widening.
This points to a growing resilience among consumers. People have become better at absorbing the external shocks that keep coming, each one as unexpected as the last. It is this resilience and our focus on what we can control, how we act and how we feel, that will help us make further positive shifts, albeit in small incremental steps.
At a time of year when the weather permits more outdoor activity, this report also begins to explore the role social connection has on people’s mindset. A future report from Core Research will explore in more detail how relationships influence Irish society, resilience, and confidence.
