Turkey’s Consumer Confidence Erodes in 2026: Survey

A comprehensive new public opinion study on Turkey’s Consumer Confidence has highlighted a significant fracture in public trust in Turkey’s economic management in 2026. Conducted by ASAL Research between February 13 and 21, 2026, the survey involved 2,015 participants across 26 provinces, painting a stark picture of a nation grappling with both current financial strain and a bleak near-term outlook. The data suggests that pessimism is no longer confined to specific demographics but has become a widespread sentiment across the country.

The Trust Deficit: Two-Thirds Express Lack of Confidence

The most striking finding of the research is the collapse of confidence in the current economic administration. According to the data, 32.6% of participants stated they “do not trust at all,” while an additional 34.2% said they simply “do not trust” the management. Combined, nearly two out of every three citizens express a lack of faith in the prevailing economic policies. In contrast, those who say they “trust” the administration remain a small minority at 10.6%, with only 4.0% stating they “strongly trust” the current leadership.

This erosion of trust indicates that the social capital required to sustain long-term economic reforms is thinning. The gap between official policy narratives and the perceived reality on the ground has created a significant “credibility gap” that poses a challenge for future fiscal interventions.

Turkey’s Consumer Confidence: 68% Predict Further Decline

Expectations for the immediate future are equally grim. When asked, “How will the Turkish economy perform in the next six months?” a dominant 68.0% of respondents answered that it would “get worse.”

Only 21.4% held an optimistic view, believing conditions would “improve,” while 10.6% remained undecided. This high level of anticipated decline often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as households pull back on spending and investment in anticipation of harder times.

Changing Consumption Habits Under Price Pressure

The survey moves beyond abstract sentiment to document the tangible impact of inflation on daily life. A staggering 75.0% of participants reported that, within the last three months, they had to stop purchasing certain products or had to opt out of buying essential items at markets due to high prices. Only 14.2% reported not having experienced such a change in their consumption habits.

The data confirms that price increases are fundamentally reshaping the Turkish household budget. The pressure is most acute in food and basic necessities, where rising costs are forcing a majority of the population to downscale their standard of living. As the Ramadan season approaches, this contraction in purchasing power is expected to weigh heavily on festive retail activity.

Source: ASAL Research