With a value of -34, consumer confidence in March was below the average over the past twenty years (-10). Confidence reached an all-time high of 36 in January 2000, and an all-time low of -59 in September and October 2022. CBS has been measuring consumer confidence every month since April 1986, based on the consumer sentiment survey. Consumer confidence is an average of 5 sub-questions, where the balance of positive and negative answers is taken for each question. If all consumers are positive, the balance is 100. If all consumers are negative, the balance is -100.
Consumers were more negative about the economy in March than in February. The sub-indicator economic climate stood at -57, compared to -54 in February. Especially the perception of the economic situation in the coming twelve months deteriorated. However, the perception of the economic situation in the past twelve months also worsened slightly.
The willingness to buy stood at -18 in March, compared to -17 in February. Both the perception of the financial situation in the past twelve months and the perception of the financial situation in the coming twelve months were slightly more negative. Consumers also found the time for making large purchases less favorable than in February.
Sources
Relevant Links
- Research Description - Consumer Confidence Survey (CCO)
- Dossier - Conjuncture