TAIPEI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's consumer confidence weakened in July, with all six sub-indexes retreating.
The Consumer Confidence Index fell by 0.47 points from the previous month to 64.58 in July, according to data released Monday by the Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development.
The sub-index measuring stock investment prospects over the next six months registered the biggest decline, falling 1.82 points to 28.08.
Dachrahn Wu, the center's executive director, noted that the survey reflects an economy reliant on AI-driven growth. The economic gains generated by AI remain heavily concentrated in the electronics, information and communications sectors.
Because high-tech workers, particularly those in the semiconductor industry, make up less than 10 percent of the labor force and a significant share of workers earn below-average wages, many people feel disconnected from economic growth and increasingly pessimistic, said Wu.
Looking ahead to the next six months, the economic outlook sub-index fell by 0.34 points to 80.53, while household financial conditions and employment prospects declined to 77.42 and 72.19, respectively.
The sub-index for purchasing durable goods edged down 0.12 points to 93.43. The price level indicator remained in pessimistic territory, slipping slightly by 0.01 points to 35.82.
A reading between 100 and 200 points suggests optimism, while one below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook.
