South African consumer sentiment improved modestly in April 2026, according to the latest Thomson Reuters/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) data. The index rose to 48.49 in April from 47.51 in March, based on figures updated on 9 April 2026.
On a month-over-month basis, the April reading signals a slight strengthening in consumer confidence compared with March, when the indicator stood at 47.51. The “Actual” comparison reflects the change from March to April 2026, while the “Previous” comparison relates to the shift from February to March 2026, highlighting how sentiment has been gradually moving closer to the 50-point threshold that typically separates pessimism from optimism.
Although still below that neutral 50 mark, the uptick suggests that South African consumers entered April with a somewhat more constructive view of current and near-term economic conditions than in the prior month. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases to see whether this nascent improvement in sentiment is sustained in the months ahead.
