Consumer mood negative for the first time in 4 years

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© CBS / Nikki van Toorn
For the first time since March 2015, the mood among Dutch consumers is negative, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The consumer confidence indicator stands at -2 in February, down from 1 in January. Opinions of Dutch consumers on the economic climate as well as their willingness to buy have deteriorated slightly.

With a score of -2 in February, the consumer confidence indicator still remains above its long-term average over the past two decades (-3). The indicator reached an all-time high in January 2000 (36) and an all-time low in March 2013 (-41).

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted
YearMonthbalance (average of the component questions)
2015March7
2015April10
2015May11
2015June14
2015July13
2015August13
2015September11
2015October12
2015November14
2015December13
2016January11
2016February6
2016March2
2016April6
2016May7
2016June11
2016July9
2016August9
2016September12
2016October17
2016November20
2016December21
2017January21
2017February22
2017March24
2017April26
2017May23
2017June23
2017July25
2017August26
2017September23
2017October23
2017November22
2017December25
2018January24
2018February23
2018March24
2018April25
2018May23
2018June23
2018July23
2018August21
2018September19
2018October15
2018November13
2018December9
2019January1
2019February-2

Opinions on economic climate less positive and willingness to buy deteriorating

In February, Dutch consumers are less positive about the economic climate than in January. This component indicator of consumer confidence has dropped from 3 to 1. Opinions on the economic climate in the past twelve months as well as in the coming twelve months have deteriorated.

Consumers’ willingness to buy has also deteriorated in February : -3, down from -1 in January. Consumers are more negative about their personal financial situation in the past 12 months and about buying expensive, durable items.