JAKARTA, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Indonesian consumers in December

were less confident in the economy due to concerns over income

and jobs, a survey of Bank Indonesia showed on Tuesday.

The December consumer confidence index was 116.4, down from

a record high in 2012 of 120.1 a month earlier.

According to the survey, consumers were more pessimistic

about income and jobs, worrying that unfavourable economic

conditions would affect business earnings.

Consumers expect rising inflationary pressures and difficult

permitting processes in some regions would weigh on business

activities in the next six months.

DEC NOV OCT

Consumer confidence index 116.4 120.1 119.5

Present situation index 110.2 113.0 111.8

Expectation index 122.6 127.2 127.3

CONTEXT:

The central bank surveys some 4,600 households in 18 cities

across Indonesia, where domestic consumption accounts for about

55 percent of the economy.

A reading above 100 shows that consumers in general are

optimistic.

Consumers see stable pressures on price in the next three

months, but increasing in the following months as government

imposes higher electricity tariffs for certain households.

The statistics bureau on Wednesday announced December

inflation edged down to 4.3 percent on an annual basis,

suggesting Bank Indonesia would keep its benchmark rate at a

record low of 5.75 percent at its Jan. 10 meeting.

Indonesia is likely to post 6.3 percent economic growth in

2012, while the current account will be $21.5 billion in

deficit, said the finance minister Agus Martowardojo.

(Reporting by Rieka Rahadiana; Editing by Kim Coghill)

Keywords: INDONESIA ECONOMY/CONSUMER

(rieka.rahadiana@thomsonreuters.com)(+6221 3199 7170)(Reuters Messaging: rieka.rahadiana.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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