TAIPEI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Confidence over employment, investment and economic prospects declined in April in Taiwan, according to the results of a monthly survey Friday.
The consumer confidence index, which is based on a survey by the Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development, dropped 0.97 points from March to 86.89 points in April.
The index consists of six indicators reflecting what people think about the economy over the next six months, in terms of consumer prices, the timing of investment in stock market, employment opportunities, family income, economic conditions, and the timing to buy durable goods.
All six indicators dropped this month, with the biggest decline in the job market forecast, which fell 1.35 points from the previous month to 105.8 points.
The sub-index for family income forecast fell to 87.95 points, ending a nine-month consecutive growth.
Generally speaking, an indicator between 0 and 100 indicates pessimism while scores between 100 and 200 indicates optimism.
The survey was conducted between April 19 and 22 among 2,666 citizens aged 20 and older by telephone interview.
