Growing confidence in future economy

Consumer confidence has built up over the past three quarters. People were far less negative about the economic situation in the next twelve months. Although pessimists still prevail, men and people on high incomes are currently optimistic about the future economic situation.

Consumer confidence steadily rising

Consumer confidence is growing steadily since the dip in the fourth quarter of 2008. Consumers are far less negative about the economic situation in the next twelve months. These component indicators of consumer confidence stood at -4 in the third quarter of 2009. Although pessimists still prevail, Dutch consumers are obviously less pessimistic than nine months ago, when the component indicator had dropped to -52.

Consumer confidence and component indicators

Solid improvement in opinions on future economy

Consumers’ opinions on the future economic climate have gone up 48 points over the past three quarters. High income earners and men improved most by 61 and 59 points respectively. The increase was above average among under-65s, persons educated at secondary school level or higher and employed persons.

Opinions on the economic situation in the 12 months to come in 2009

Only high incomes and men optimistic about the economy

Despite the solid improvement in consumers’ opinions on the economic situation in the future in 2009, optimists only outnumbered pessimists in the past quarter in the categories men and high income earners. Female and low income consumers were most pessimistic.

Economic situation in the 12 months to come, 4th quarter 2008 and 3rd quarter 2009

Jeroen Nieuweboer