MEXICO CITY, April 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's consumer confidence index MXCONC=ECI rose in March to 81.8 from 80.6 in February, the national statistics agency said on Tuesday 6 April.

Analysts had forecast the index would rise to 81.9. The confidence index was at 79.4 a year ago.

In the survey of consumer sentiment compared to a year ago, four out of five components rose from the previous month.

On the question of whether today's Mexican economy was stronger compared to a year ago, confidence slipped but respondents were more upbeat about their personal economic situation and were more likely to make a big purchase such as a television or furniture.

Mexicans' overall confidence touched its lowest point of the economic crisis last October when the index registered 77 points.

Economic recovery in Mexico is not expected to outpace improvements in the United States, which absorbs 80 percent of local exports. Latin America's second biggest economy shrank 6.5 percent last year, its biggest contraction since 1932.

(Reporting by Patrick Rucker, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)