Netherlands: Consumer confidence edges up in December, but remains pessimistic
Consumer sentiment turned less pessimistic at the close of the year, with the consumer confidence index rising to minus 20 in December from minus 26 in November. December’s print marked the best result since March 2020, the month in which the coronavirus crisis began and the announcement of the first lockdown. However, the print remained deeply entrenched below the neutral 0-threshold that separates pessimism from optimism among consumers.
Consumers’ views on the economic climate ticked up markedly as attitudes regarding the economic situation in the year ahead improved strongly, albeit still negative. Willingness to buy, furthermore, inched up in December, with the outlook on the financial situation of households improving in the month.