Consumer confidence among Filipino Internet users has risen considerably, ranking even among the world’s most improved markets, according to The Nielsen Company’s latest survey.

Conducted between Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, the study is the first of two polls to be made over the Internet this year.

The survey covered 26,312 respondents in 48 countries and territories in Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America, including some 500 from the Philippines.

Nielsen said it had been doing the study for four years, with the Internet chosen as the preferred medium, in an effort to ease retrieval of information that are “globally comparative.”

Company managing director Benedicto Cid Jr. said at a news briefing Tuesday that the Philippine consumer confidence index increased by 5 points to 108, continuing an uptrend that started two years ago when it stood at 93.

“This, while global index remained at 94 points in November,” Cid said. “Confidence about job prospects drove the improvement of the local index.”

The survey showed that the best improved market -- Brazil -- showed an increase of 13 points in the index.

China, Finland and South Korea followed, with each posting an increase of five points.

“Over the past five [surveys], the percentage of Filipinos who said job prospects were ‘good’ in the next six months increased to 59 percent from 39 percent,” Cid said.

Still, the poll showed that Filipinos were the most concerned about unemployment -- in case of a downturn in the local economy -- in the region, with 70 percent saying so, compared with the regional average of 56 percent.

Filipinos were also the most worried about political instability, with 50 percent saying so, compared with 28 percent region-wide.

Local respondents were also the most concerned about civil conflicts, with 22 percent saying so, compared with 10 percent across the region.

But since “the economy has improved, Filipinos’ concerns about the economy and political instability have dropped,” Cid said. “This opened the way for health to rise as a major concern, while regard for job security was generally maintained.”

Cid said the Philippines ranked third among 48 countries and territories in terms of a tendency toward saving some spare cash.

“After saving, Filipino priorities include spending on new clothes and technology, and paying off debt,” he said.

He also noted that Filipinos are increasingly putting their money “into mutual funds and stocks.” Edited by INQUIRER.net