The Nielsen consumer confidence index in Ukraine in the fourth quarter of 2016 rose by 2 points, to 52 points, showing relative stability for last year, according to the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions Survey.

"We call this Ukrainian phenomenon "stability in the crisis." Consumers accustomed, adapted and continue to adapt to the conditions dictated by their consumer market and the national economy as a whole ... This consumer "stability" is deceptive and could reel during the next upheaval whether these are the prices in stores or the escalation of the conflict in the east of the country," Nielsen CEO for Ukraine and Belarus Tetiana Bezsmertna said.

She stressed that, according to the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies, about 58.3% of the population now live below the minimum subsistence level in the country.

According to a company press release, 26% of Ukrainians assess their financial state negatively (plus 4 percentage points compared to the previous quarter). On the remaining two indicators on which the index is calculated, a slight improvement is observed: 40% of the respondents do not see prospects in their job (3 percentage points less) and 45% say that now the time is unfavorable for purchases (1 percentage point less).