MBS and University of Michigan launch National Sentiment Index to track changes in the economy

The Maldives Business School (MBS) and the University of Michigan Survey Research Center have officially launched the Maldives Consumer Sentiment Index (MCSI).

In a statement, MBS said the index is a scientific measure of individuals’ personal financial status, households’ perception of changes in national financial and economic conditions, and expectations about the short- and long-term economic outlook. The main purpose of the index is to regularly identify month-to-month changes in the economy.

The survey, conducted by MBS with technical guidance from the University of Michigan, is based on data collected by visiting selected households using scientific sampling methods designed to represent the entire Maldivian population. The study will use the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers model, one of the world’s leading frameworks for measuring consumer sentiment.

MBS noted that general indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Balance of Payments are calculations based on past trends. In contrast, the Consumer Sentiment Index captures future attitudes and expectations of consumers, making it a valuable tool for formulating business and economic policies and enabling more timely decision-making.

Data will be collected every month through trained enumerators, and the results of each month will be published on the Maldives Business School website the following month.