Consumers slightly less negative in September

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© CBS
In September 2023, Dutch consumers are marginally less negative than they were in the previous month according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). In September, consumer confidence stands at -39, compared to -40 in August. Consumers’ willingness to buy is slightly improving, but consumers are somewhat more negative about the economic climate.

At -39, the consumer confidence indicator in September is positioned well below its long-term average over the past two decades (-10). The indicator reached an all-time high (36) in January 2000 while the all-time low (-59) was reached in September and October 2022. CBS has monitored consumer confidence monthly since April 1986.

Consumer confidence, seasonally adjusted
yearmonthbalance (average of the component questions)
2019October-1
2019November-2
2019December-2
2020January-2
2020February-2
2020March-3
2020April-23
2020May-31
2020June-27
2020July-26
2020August-29
2020September-28
2020October-30
2020November-26
2020December-19
2021January-19
2021February-19
2021March-18
2021April-14
2021May-9
2021June-3
2021July-4
2021August-6
2021September-5
2021October-10
2021November-20
2021December-26
2022January-28
2022February-30
2022March-39
2022April-48
2022May-47
2022June-50
2022July-51
2022August-54
2022September-59
2022October-59
2022November-56
2022December-52
2023January-49
2023February-44
2023March-39
2023April-37
2023May-38
2023June-39
2023July-39
2023August-40
2023September-39

Consumers slightly more pessimistic about the economy

Consumers are marginally more pessimistic about the economy in September than they were in August. This component indicator decreased to -57, compared to -56 in August. Both consumers' opinions about the economic situation in the past twelve months and about the economic situation in the next twelve months are slightly more negative.

Willingness to buy equally somewhat less negative

Consumers’ willingness to buy stands at -28 in September, up from -29 in August. Opinions about the financial situation in the past twelve months and opinions about the financial situation in the next twelve months remain the same. Consumers are less negative about making large purchases in September than they were in Augsut.

Consumer confidence: component indicators, seasonaly adjusted
   SeptemberAugust
Consumer confidenceAverage component questions-39-40
Economic climateEconomic situation past 12 months-76-75
Economic climateEconomic situation next 12 months-39-36
Willingness to buyFinancial situation last 12 months-29-29
Willingness to buyFinancial situation next 12 months-5-5
Willingness to buyGood time to buy consumer durables-49-54