Dutch consumers less optimistic

More negative about economic climate

The component indicator on Economic climate has deteriorated: from 6 in July to -1 in August. In August, consumers are less positive about the economic climate in the past twelve months and their outlook for the coming twelve months is considerably more negative.

Consumers’ willingness to buy improved from -1 in July to 0 in August. Opinions on their financial situation in the past twelve months have improved slightly and they also find the time more favourable to make large purchases. Opinions on their financial situation in the coming twelve months, on the other hand, are slightly less positive than in July.

Less positive about future unemployment

Consumers’ expectations on future unemployment have deteriorated. Nearly 23 percent of the respondents expect unemployment to rise in the coming twelve months, whereas 33 percent anticipate a drop. The balance stands at 11, versus 23 in the previous month. In the past two months, the percentage expecting unemployment to rise increased and the percentage anticipating a drop fell.