Dutch consumers pessimistic about their own financial situation for 2012

Consumers were very negative about their financial situation over the next twelve months. This component indicator dropped 11 points to -23, the lowest level ever. Consumers’ opinions about their own financial situation over the past twelve months  also deteriorated, but to a lesser extent. Consumers thought it was a less favourable time to buy  expensive items than in November. Willingness to buy, already at a very low level, fell by 7 points to -20.

Consumers’ confidence in the economic climate dropped marginally, because consumers’ opinions on the economic situation over the past twelve months deteriorated. Surprisingly, their opinions on the economic situation over the next twelve months improved somewhat.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted