Consumer confidence virtually unchanged

In January 2006 consumer confidence, seasonally corrected, was virtually identical to that of December 2005. Dutch consumer confidence has been growing since September 2005. However, the pessimists still have the upper hand.

The sentiment about the economic climate in January hardly changed in comparison with the month before. Dutch consumers barely changed their opinions about the economic situation over the next twelve months and in the previous twelve.

The willingness to purchase hardly changed in January in comparison to December and is still low. Willingness to purchase is based on consumers’ opinions about the financial situation of their household and on the question if this is a good time for major purchases. Consumers were less negative about their own financial situation over the last twelve months. They hardly changed opinions on their own financial situation in the next twelve months and on major purchases.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted