Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living [Consumer Forecast for Next Month・April 2026] (Consumer Spending Index)
Key facts
- Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living [Consumer Forecast for Next Month・April 2026] (Consumer Spending Index)
- Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living announced that the consumer spending index for April 2026 was 44.8 points, showing a slight increase month-on-month but a decrease year-on-year, reaching the lowest value in the past 10 years for the same month. The main reason is the impact of rising prices due to worsening Middle East tensions, primarily affecting male consumers.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: March 31, 2026
Direct answer
Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living announced that the consumer spending index for April 2026 was 44.8 points, showing a slight increase month-on-month but a decrease year-on-year, reaching the lowest value in the past 10 years for the same month. The main reason is the impact of rising prices due to worsening Middle East tensions, primarily affecting male consumers.
- Citation
- Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living [Consumer Forecast for Next Month・April 2026] (Consumer Spending Index) (March 31, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- March 31, 2026
Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living announced that the consumer spending index for April 2026 was 44.8 points, showing a slight increase month-on-month but a decrease year-on-year, reaching the lowest value in the past 10 years for the same month. The main reason is the impact of rising prices due to worsening Middle East tensions, primarily affecting male consumers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (15h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 03:13 (493h 33m after Collected)
Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, a think tank of Hakuhodo Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo), conducts monthly surveys on future consumption trends, including scoring 'consumer spending motivation for the next month' among 1,500 men and women aged 20-69. The results are published as the 'Consumer Forecast for Next Month'.
*Survey conducted from March 5-7
The consumer spending index for April 2026 was 44.8 points. It slightly increased by +0.8pt compared to the previous month, but decreased by -1.7pt compared to the previous year.
## 【Point 1】Consumer Spending Motivation Decreases Year-on-Year, Especially Among Men, Due to Rising Prices Caused by Worsening Middle East Tensions
April typically sees a slight increase in consumer spending motivation compared to March, driven by new lifestyles and the new fiscal year, and this year also saw a slight increase of +0.8pt month-on-month. However, it decreased by -1.7pt year-on-year, reaching the lowest value for the same month in the past 10 years. Looking at the year-on-year comparison by gender, the decline is particularly noticeable among men (year-on-year: men -2.6pt, women -0.8pt).
Examining the reasons for the consumer spending index (free responses), both positive responses to consumption (March 355 cases → April 336 cases) and negative responses (March 852 cases → April 837 cases) slightly decreased compared to the previous month. Specifically, among positive responses, 'seasonal increase in motivation (e.g., preparations for new lifestyles/new fiscal year, desire for spring clothes)' increased (March 100 cases → April 149 cases), while 'planned expenses/desired items (other than seasonal)' decreased (March 163 cases → April 121 cases). Among negative responses, 'saving/endurance due to financial reasons' decreased (March 209 cases → April 167 cases). Furthermore, 'rising prices/price hikes/yen depreciation' significantly increased month-on-month (March 107 cases → April 152 cases), with a particularly noticeable rise among men (men: March 55 cases → April 81 cases, women: March 52 cases → April 71 cases). In addition, concerns about 'global social unrest' such as worsening Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices also increased (March 0 cases → April 16 cases), which needs close monitoring.
Compared to the previous year, positive responses to consumption (April 2025 359 cases → April 2026 336 cases) slightly decreased, and negative responses (April 2025 846 cases → April 2026 837 cases) remained almost flat. Specifically, there were no significant increases or decreases in either positive or negative response categories. However, looking at gender, among men, 'planned expenses/desired items (other than seasonal)' in positive responses showed a noticeable decrease (men: April 2025 70 cases → April 2026 41 cases; women: April 2025 68 cases → April 2026 80 cases). It is anticipated that consumer spending motivation will not fully recover, especially among men, due to the resurgence of the impact of rising prices caused by worsening Middle East tensions.
## 【Point 2】Consumer Intent Also Decreases Month-on-Month and Year-on-Year, Especially Among Men, in Spring-Related Categories
The percentage of people who 'particularly want to buy something or use a service' was 26.9%, a decrease of -2.1pt compared to the previous month and the previous year.
*Survey conducted from March 5-7
The consumer spending index for April 2026 was 44.8 points. It slightly increased by +0.8pt compared to the previous month, but decreased by -1.7pt compared to the previous year.
## 【Point 1】Consumer Spending Motivation Decreases Year-on-Year, Especially Among Men, Due to Rising Prices Caused by Worsening Middle East Tensions
April typically sees a slight increase in consumer spending motivation compared to March, driven by new lifestyles and the new fiscal year, and this year also saw a slight increase of +0.8pt month-on-month. However, it decreased by -1.7pt year-on-year, reaching the lowest value for the same month in the past 10 years. Looking at the year-on-year comparison by gender, the decline is particularly noticeable among men (year-on-year: men -2.6pt, women -0.8pt).
Examining the reasons for the consumer spending index (free responses), both positive responses to consumption (March 355 cases → April 336 cases) and negative responses (March 852 cases → April 837 cases) slightly decreased compared to the previous month. Specifically, among positive responses, 'seasonal increase in motivation (e.g., preparations for new lifestyles/new fiscal year, desire for spring clothes)' increased (March 100 cases → April 149 cases), while 'planned expenses/desired items (other than seasonal)' decreased (March 163 cases → April 121 cases). Among negative responses, 'saving/endurance due to financial reasons' decreased (March 209 cases → April 167 cases). Furthermore, 'rising prices/price hikes/yen depreciation' significantly increased month-on-month (March 107 cases → April 152 cases), with a particularly noticeable rise among men (men: March 55 cases → April 81 cases, women: March 52 cases → April 71 cases). In addition, concerns about 'global social unrest' such as worsening Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices also increased (March 0 cases → April 16 cases), which needs close monitoring.
Compared to the previous year, positive responses to consumption (April 2025 359 cases → April 2026 336 cases) slightly decreased, and negative responses (April 2025 846 cases → April 2026 837 cases) remained almost flat. Specifically, there were no significant increases or decreases in either positive or negative response categories. However, looking at gender, among men, 'planned expenses/desired items (other than seasonal)' in positive responses showed a noticeable decrease (men: April 2025 70 cases → April 2026 41 cases; women: April 2025 68 cases → April 2026 80 cases). It is anticipated that consumer spending motivation will not fully recover, especially among men, due to the resurgence of the impact of rising prices caused by worsening Middle East tensions.
## 【Point 2】Consumer Intent Also Decreases Month-on-Month and Year-on-Year, Especially Among Men, in Spring-Related Categories
The percentage of people who 'particularly want to buy something or use a service' was 26.9%, a decrease of -2.1pt compared to the previous month and the previous year.
FAQ
What was the consumer sentiment index in April 2026?
The consumer sentiment index in April 2026 was 44.8 points. It slightly increased from the previous month but decreased compared to the same month last year, becoming the lowest value for the same month in the past 10 years.
What were the main factors causing the decline in consumer sentiment?
The main factors were higher prices, price hikes, and a weaker yen due to worsening conditions in the Middle East. A notable decrease in consumer sentiment was observed among men.
In which categories did consumer intent decrease?
Consumer intent decreased in seasonal spring products and services, particularly those centered around men, such as preparations for new lives and new fiscal years, and spring clothing.