Consumers slightly more negative in August

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© Alrik Swagerman
In August 2023, Dutch consumers are marginally more negative than they were in the previous month according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). In August, consumer confidence stands at -40, compared to -39 in July. Consumers are more negative about the economic climate. Consumers’ willingness to buy remains unchanged.

At -40, the consumer confidence indicator in August is positioned well below its long-term average over the past two decades (-10). The indicator reached an all-time high (36) in January 2000 while the all-time low (-59) was reached in September and October 2022. CBS has monitored consumer confidence since April 1986.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted
yearmonthbalance (average of the component questions)
2019September-2
2019October-1
2019November-2
2019December-2
2020January-2
2020February-2
2020March-3
2020April-23
2020May-31
2020June-27
2020July-26
2020August-29
2020September-28
2020October-30
2020November-26
2020December-19
2021January-19
2021February-19
2021March-18
2021April-14
2021May-9
2021June-3
2021July-4
2021August-6
2021September-5
2021October-10
2021November-20
2021December-26
2022January-28
2022February-30
2022March-39
2022April-48
2022May-47
2022June-50
2022July-51
2022August-54
2022September-59
2022October-59
2022November-56
2022December-52
2023January-49
2023February-44
2023March-39
2023April-37
2023May-38
2023June-39
2023July-39
2023August-40

Consumers slightly more pessimistic about the economy

Consumers are more pessimistic about the economy in August than they were in July. This component indicator decreased to -56, compared to -54 in July. Consumers' opinions about the economic situation in the past twelve months are somewhat more negative, while their opinions about the economic situation in the next twelve months remain unchanged.

Willingness to buy equally negative

Just as in the previous two months, consumers’ willingness to buy remains at -29 in August. Opinions about the financial situation in the past twelve months are slightly less negative than in July, while opinions about the financial situation in the next twelve months remain the same. Consumers are more negative about making large purchases in August than they were in July.

Sources

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