Consumer confidence falls for seventh consecutive month

These are the most recent figures on this topic. View the previous figures here.
© ANP / Ruud Morijn
Consumer confidence stood at -37 in April, compared with -34 in March, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Both opinions about the economic climate and willingness to buy deteriorated. Consumer confidence reached an all-time low in October 2022 and then recovered, but that recovery came to an end in 2024. Since the autumn of 2024, confidence has fallen for seven consecutive months and sunk to the lowest level in one and a half year.

With a headline figure of -37, the consumer confidence indicator for April 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 five 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.

Consumers more pessimistic about the economy

Consumers were more pessimistic about the economy in April than they were in March. This component of the indicator fell to -61, compared to -57 in March. Both consumers’ assessment of the economic outlook for the next twelve months and their assessment of the economic situation over the previous twelve months was more negative.

Willingness to buy also more negative

Willingness to buy among consumers stood at -20 in April, down from -18 in March. Consumers’ opinions on both their personal financial situation over the past twelve months and their financial situation over the next twelve months were more negative. Consumers were just as negative about making large purchases in April as they were in March.

Sources

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