Dutch consumer confidence unchanged in December

With a headline figure of -21, the consumer confidence indicator for December is positioned well below its long-term average for the previous twenty years (-11). The indicator reached its all-time high (36) in January 2000, while the all-time low (-59) was reached in September and October 2022. Statistics Netherlands has monitored consumer confidence every month since April 1986, based on its 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 slightly more pessimistic about the economy

Consumers were slightly more pessimistic about the economy in December than they were in November. This component of the indicator fell from -34 to -35. Consumers were less negative about the economic outlook over the previous twelve months, but more negative about the economic outlook for the next twelve months.

Willingness to buy improves slightly

In December, willingness to buy was -11, up from -12 in November. Consumers were less positive about their personal financial situation for the next twelve months and less negative about their financial situation over the previous twelve months. Consumers were also slightly less negative about making large purchases in December than they were in November.

Consumers more negative about unemployment

Being in employment plays a significant role in consumers' willingness to buy. Consumers' opinions on future unemployment have deteriorated in recent months. In December, approximately 46 percent of respondents expected unemployment to increase in the next 12 months, while 10 percent expect a decrease. As a result, the balance of positive and negative answers was -37, the lowest level since May 2021. The lowest level for unemployment expectations was -88 in March 1993.