PRCA launches Q1 Confidence Index revealing optimism amid economic uncertainty

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has launched the results of its inaugural Q1 Confidence Index, marking the first wave of a quarterly survey designed to track industry sentiment and provide insights into the outlook for the public relations and communications sector.

The PRCA Confidence Index will be conducted quarterly featuring just two key questions. This quarter, respondents were asked to share their confidence in the future of their own organisations, as well as their thoughts on the broader economic outlook for 2025.

The findings reveal a mixed yet optimistic outlook for the future:

• Confidence in business:
• 11% of respondents reported being not at all confident
• 9% were not very confident
• 18% were neither confident nor unconfident
• 22% were very confident
• 46% were quite confident

• Regional highlights:
• Europe – 89% of respondents expressed the highest confidence levels.
• UK – Only 54% reported feeling confident, making it the least confident region.
• Regional highlights:

• Economic outlook for 2025:
• 32% expect a small decline (1-3%) in the economy
• 42% predict the economy will remain about the same (+1% to -1%)
• 3% forecast strong growth (3% or more)
• 23% are optimistic about growth (1-3%)

• MENA – 71% of respondents in the region are the most confident about economic performance in 2025.
• The Americas – 80% of respondents expressed the least confidence in their region’s economic prospects.

The Confidence Index is part of PRCA’s ongoing efforts to provide valuable research to the industry, track trends, and support the PR community. Future waves of the survey will explore a variety of pressing issues, giving respondents the opportunity to share their perspectives on matters that directly impact the sector.

PRCA Interim CEO, Sarah Waddington CBE, said:

"The PRCA Confidence Index is an important tool for understanding our industry. Right now, many clearly feel uncertain about the coming months. Rest assured the PRCA will continue to equip members with the skills and tools they need to develop personally and commercially, as well as innovate and thrive in today's dynamic marketplace.

“These ongoing insights will be instrumental as we continue to track the sentiment and needs of our members, and we will use them to support our goal of representing the industry’s interests effectively to policymakers and stakeholders."