BANGALORE: The average consumer in Bangalore is confident that India will continue its economic growth at a faster pace than its neighbours and similar rated countries.

A significant minority do worry about job loss but most people say their jobs are not in serious jeopardy at the moment.

According to Bangalore-based Alliance Business Academy that conducted a survey during April-September, economic cycles are influenced by the consumers' subjective feelings of confidence.

Economists, businesses and policy-makers have a lot at stake in trying to understand how consumers feel about the economy now and its future prospects.

The people behind the survey that covered a stratified sample of households, industrial workers, students and traders, altogether 1,224 respondents, report that different sections of consumers face different situations, and perceptions vary.

For example, low housing loan rates available can motivate many to buy a house. While increased house-buying is good for the economy, it is not necessarily a sign of consumer confidence.

A large majority of respondents feel both present and future family finances are better than in the past and most from businesses also feel conditions will only improve.

Of the 1,224 respondents, 951 feel future economic growth will be even better than the average of eight per cent now.

The survey shows that close to 50 per cent plan to buy a vehicle in the coming months and an equal number, plan to purchase some consumer durable.

Views regarding inflation/ price increase vary. Some believe price increases will not affect their living conditions overall.

They feel prices are rising as a "natural phenomenon" and have little or no impact on their disposable income.

This is the section that has recently purchased of a house, an automobile or a consumer durable.

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