Australia has the highest consumer confidence in the developed world

Australia has the highest consumer confidence of any developed country, according to a global Nielsen survey.

While consumer confidence fell in 60% of the 56 markets surveyed in the last quarter of 2011 by Nielsen, in Australia confidence was up for the first time since July 2010.

When asked if the next 12 months would be a good time to spend money, half of Australians said it would be – up 7% on the previous quarter. This compares to just 32% globally.

More than half (53%) of Australians think job opportunities are either good or excellent, compared to only 42% average in other countries.