Consumer confidence around the world rose in the third quarter of 2014, according to a recent report from Nielsen.

Confidence in 3Q14 was up in 39 of 60 countries measured by Nielsen, compared with 31 countries in the second quarter. Overall, Nielsen's index moved up by one index point to a score of 98, up two points from the start of the year.

The Consumer Confidence Index measures perceptions of local job prospects, personal finances, and immediate spending intentions via a global online survey. Levels above and below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees of optimism and pessimism, respectively.

Regionally, consumer confidence in North America improved the most, rising four points to 107—a score that matches Asia-Pacific for the first time since the index began in 2005.

Confidence in the United States increased four points for the second consecutive quarter to reach a score of 108 in the third quarter. The rise continued an upward trend that started in the first quarter of 2013.

Confidence also increased in Canada, rising one point from the previous quarter to an index level of 103.