CONSUMER confidence has rallied here, as key Asian markets continue leading the world out of recession.

A new survey found confidence rose nine points from April to November, matching the global average, as better job prospects and healthier savings gave people heart. However, Singapore consumers, like those across the world, are still nervous about economic prospects, the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index indicated.

The survey, conducted in September and October, polled over 30,000 Internet users in 54 economies. Hong Kong registered the biggest jump in confidence at 14 points, followed by South Korea and Brazil at 13 and 12 points respectively.

Singapore's nine-point increase 'signifies a welcome return to positive territory', said Mr Paul Richmond, managing director of The Nielsen Company's consumer group in Singapore and Malaysia.

'It really demonstrates that in the last six months, a majority of consumer sentiment across the globe has shifted gears from recession to recovery.'

Although data indicated Singapore emerged from the slump in the second quarter, almost 60 per cent of the respondents said they believed the country was still in recession, and a third said their top concern remains the economy's health. But Mr Richmond believes optimism is slowly but surely building here.

About half of the respondents said they felt job prospects over the next 12 months were 'good or excellent' and 53 per cent said they were more positive about their personal finances.

The Government has forecast the economy to shrink 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent this year - less than a previous estimate for a contraction of up to 6 per cent.

The Ministry of Manpower reported 15,400 new jobs were added between July and September, making up for the 13,900 cut in the first half of this year.