Consumer confidence is deteriorating again

These are the most recent figures on this topic. View the previous figures here.
© ANP / Ramon van Flymen
The mood among consumers was more negative in January than it was in December, marking the fourth consecutive month of deterioration, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Consumer confidence stood at -28 in January, compared with -26 last month. In particular, opinions about the economic climate deteriorated. The recovery in consumer confidence after the absolute low in October 2022 stalled in the course of 2024. Consumers were just as negative in January 2025 as they were in January 2024.

With a headline figure of -28, the consumer confidence indicator for January is positioned well below its long-term average for the previous twenty years (-10). The indicator reached its all-time high (36) in January 2000, while the all-time low (-59) was reached in September and October 2022. Since April 1986, CBS has monitored consumer confidence every month, based on the consumer survey. Consumer confidence is assessed using 5 questions, where the balance of positive and negative responses is taken from each question. If all consumers are positive, the balance is 100. If all consumers are negative, the balance is -100.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted
yearmonthbalance (average of the component questions)
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
2023September-39
2023October-38
2023November-33
2023December-29
2024January-28
2024February-27
2024March-22
2024April-21
2024May-22
2024June-23
2024July-24
2024August-24
2024September-21
2024October-22
2024November-25
2024December-26
2025January-28

Consumers more pessimistic about the economy

Consumers are more pessimistic about the economy in January than they were in December. This component of the indicator fell to -50, compared to -45 in December. Consumers’ assessment of both the economic situation over the previous twelve months and the economic outlook for the next twelve months has deteriorated.

Willingness to buy slightly more negative

Willingness to buy among consumers stood at -14 in January, down from -13 in December. Consumers’ opinions on their personal financial situation over the previous 12 months and their assessment of the next 12 months were more negative. Consumers were also slightly less negative about making large purchases in January than they were in December.

Consumer confidence: component indicators, seasonaly adjusted
   January (balance % positive answers and % negative answers)December (balance % positive answers and % negative answers)
Consumer confidenceAverage component questions-28-26
Economic climateEconomic situation past 12 months-57-54
Economic climateEconomic situation next 12 months-43-37
Willingness to buyFinancial situation last 12 months-13-11
Willingness to buyFinancial situation next 12 months-10
Willingness to buyGood time to buy consumer durables-28-27