Banque nationale de Belgique : Press release - Consumer confidence indicator (2020-02) PDF

2020-02-19

Links:	NBB.Stat	General information

Monthly consumer survey - February 2020

Consumer confidence firms up again in February

• The consumer confidence indicator has risen in February, for the second month in a row.
• This new boost of confidence is reflected in all components of the indicator, except in the forecasts for the economic situation in Belgium.

Just like the previous month, consumers appeared more optimistic about future developments on the labour market. However, the improvement in the outlook for the economic situation in Belgium observed in January has been completely cancelled out this month.

Personal prospects for households are a lot more positive. So, having remained stable over the last few months, they are now expecting their financial situation to improve again in the coming twelve months and are planning to save more.

Consumer confidence indicators 1

			Expectations for the next twelve months		Consumer
		Economic situation	Unemployment in	Financial situation	Savings of	confidence
		indicator
		in Belgium	Belgium 2	of households	households
2019	February	-12	6	-3	-8	-7
	March	-11	9	-1	-4	-6
	April	-13	12	-1	-1	-7
	May	-9	7	-2	-4	-5
	June	-16	8	-1	-2	-7
	July	-15	8	-1	-1	-6
	August	-20	13	-2	-1	-9
	September	-22	18	-4	-1	-11
	October	-16	12	-2	-4	-8
	November	-14	7	-2	-1	-6
	December	-17	11	-2	-5	-8
2020	January	-15	8	-2	2	-6
	February	-17	6	3	6	-4

• As of February 2020, the survey sample has been adapted to better reflect the socio-demographic characteristics of the population. In line with the European Commission's recommendations, this change is being introduced only gradually, so as not to interfere too much with the information content of the indicator.

• Regarding unemployment expectations, a rise indicates a deterioration while a decline indicates an improvement. Source: National Bank of Belgium.

Communication	boulevard de Berlaimont 14	phone + 32 2 221 46 28	Company's number: 0203.201.340
National Bank of Belgium Ltd.	BE-1000 BRUSSELS	www.nbb.be	RLP Brussels

FEBRUARY 2020

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDICATOR

15
			long-term
5			average
		since 1990
-5
-15
-25
-35
2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020

Expectations for the next twelve months

General economic situation in Belgium

Unemployment in Belgium¹

40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020

80
60
40
20
0
-20
2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020

Financial situation of households

20
10
0
-10
-20
2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020

Savings of households

20
10
0
-10
-20
2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020

¹ Regarding unemployment expectations, a rise indicates a deterioration while a decline indicates an improvement.

Communication	boulevard de Berlaimont 14	phone + 32 2 221 46 28	Company's number:
National Bank of Belgium Ltd.	BE-1000 BRUSSELS	www.nbb.be	0203.201.340 - RLP Brussels