Hispanic consumer confidence in the United States declined during the third quarter of 2025, according to a recent poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative (BEPI). The survey found that economic uncertainty and higher prices have placed additional strain on Hispanic households.
The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 71 in the third quarter, a decrease from 81.2 in the previous quarter. The index is based on five questions that measure optimism about personal finances and the broader economy, all of which showed a drop in positive responses.
“Hispanic consumer sentiment dropped this quarter as households continue to feel the strain of rising cost of living,” said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of BEPI. “While inflation has eased compared to its peak, prices for essentials like food, housing and insurance remain elevated, which continues to pressure family budgets.”
The poll found that 51% of Hispanic respondents felt they were better off financially than a year ago, compared to 55% in the second quarter. Optimism about future financial situations also declined, with 56% expressing a positive outlook for their finances compared to 64% previously.
When asked about the country’s short-term economic outlook, 44% expected good business conditions in the upcoming year, down from 47%. Similarly, optimism about the long-term economic outlook was slightly lower at 44%, compared to 46% in the previous quarter.
The survey also revealed that only 39% believed it was a good time to make a major purchase such as a home or vehicle, a decrease from 45%.
“Many Hispanic consumers are also feeling uncertainty about the direction of the economy as job growth slows and interest rates stay high, making big purchases such as homes and vehicles less affordable,” Escaleras said.
The BEPI poll surveyed a panel sample of 539 Hispanic adults aged 18 and older between July 1 and September 30. Data collection was conducted via landlines using Interactive Voice Response as well as online through Dynata. The margin of error for the survey is +/-4.22 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect the national distribution of the Hispanic population by region, education, gender, age, and income based on the latest American Community Survey data. Full results are available here.
