India set the highest level ever registered in the ACNielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index with a reading of 137, followed by Norway at 134 and Denmark scoring 129.

The index average of 99 was up one point from the previous survey in the first half of 2006. Japanese consumers, with a score of 71,  were the third most pessimistic in the survey, after South Koreans and Portuguese. 

Indians have topped the twice-yearly survey since it was introduced in early 2005. In contrast, China scored a much lower 105 although that was above the global average reading of 99. 

The index, published on Wednesday, measures consumer confidence for the coming six months and is based on a survey covering 46 markets around the world. The latest survey, taken in late October and early November, polled more than 25,000 Internet users.