TAIPEI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Latest data show a sharp rise in the number of furloughed people in Taiwan. Behind these figures, the island has witnessed the weakest consumer confidence index in over two years and three straight months of manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) contraction. Observers warn that factors such as U.S. tariffs on Taiwan are undermining business confidence, leaving little optimism for Taiwan's economic outlook. Concerns over U.S. tariffs have also dampened consumer confidence. Lin Chien-fu, a senior Taiwan-based economist, suggested that Taiwan's GDP growth could drop to around 2.8 percent next year, considering the increasing furlough numbers and weakening consumer confidence.