While global consumer confidence continues the slow but steady climb upward from the lows experienced in the first quarter of 2009, consumer spending is following a similar trajectory.

Global consumer confidence edged up slightly as rising Asian markets were offset by Europe’s growing concerns of an escalating debt crisis according to the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.

As the curtain fell on the World Cup and team and player performances were analyzed across the world, The Nielsen Company looked at how the official FIFA website performed across a number of countries that participated in the tournament.

Hany Mwafy, Managing Director North Africa and James Russo, Vice President Global Consumer Insights presented today at Nielsen’s Consumer 360 conference on how the center of gravity is shifting away from North America and Europe. In the decades to come, emerging economies will deliver more growth – and more profits.

The survey found that 34% of respondents believe Brazil will take home the Cup, 25 percentage points more than any other country.

In a sign that the world is recovering from a “Great Recession,” consumer confidence levels have reached pre-downturn levels in some countries, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.

On average, global web users across 10 countries spent roughly five and a half hours on social networks in February 2010, up more than two hours from the same time last year.

Nielsen’s regional experts share insights on confidence, media trends, and what next for the increasingly diverse, demanding, and connected global consumer.

The latest version of Nielsen’s Economic current shows signs of recovery, specifically in markets like China, India, Hong Kong and Brazil.

An increase in consumer confidence in Asian markets, as well as Brazil, continues to reflect signs that the economy is emerging from a global recession and, in some markets, the recovery is accelerating.