Consumer sentiment in South Korea has turned out to be the worst among major global economies.

Nielsen’s Global Consumer Confidence Index report released on Wednesday showed that South Korea’s consumer confidence stood at 46 in the fourth quarter of last year, the lowest among a total of 61 countries surveyed.

The index shows consumers' optimism or pessimism about the economy. A reading above 100 means more consumers are willing to spend, while a reading below 100 means consumer sentiment is low.

The fourth quarter figure for South Korea is even lower than the previous quarter's by three points. The country has remained at the bottom in the poll for the third consecutive quarter after Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) hit the nation last May.

More than 30-thousand online consumers from the 61 countries participated in the Nielsen survey which covered questions on consumer sentiment, economic outlook and spending plans.