Euro Area consumer confidence was confirmed at -16.3 in March 2026, the lowest since October 2023, down from -12.3 in the prior month. Broader EU sentiment followed a similar path, dropping to -15.2, near a 2½-year low, from -11.8 in February and consistent with preliminary estimates. Rising inflation expectations linked to the Middle East conflict contributed to the decline, leading consumers to revise downward their expectations for the overall economic situation in their countries. Households also grew more pessimistic about their future finances and less willing to undertake major purchases over the next 12 months while their assessment of past finances remained generally stable. source: European Commission

Consumer Confidence In the Euro Area decreased to -16.30 points in March from -12.30 points in February of 2026. Consumer Confidence in Euro Area averaged -9.39 points from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of -0.40 points in January of 2000 and a record low of -27.50 points in September of 2022. This page provides the latest reported value for - Euro Area Consumer Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Euro Area Consumer Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Consumer Confidence In the Euro Area decreased to -16.30 points in March from -12.30 points in February of 2026. Consumer Confidence in Euro Area is expected to be -16.30 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Euro Area Consumer Confidence is projected to trend around -16.00 points in 2027 and -14.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-23 03:00 PM
Consumer Confidence Flash
Mar -16.3 -12.3 -14.4 -16
2026-03-30 09:00 AM
Consumer Confidence Final
Mar -16.3 -12.2 -16.3 -16.3
2026-04-22 02:00 PM
Consumer Confidence Flash
Apr -16.3

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Inflation Expectations 43.40 26.20 points Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence -0.27 -0.36 points Mar 2026
Consumer Confidence -16.30 -12.30 points Mar 2026
Economic Sentiment 96.60 98.20 points Mar 2026
Industrial Sentiment -7.00 -7.20 points Mar 2026
Retail Sales MoM -0.10 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales YoY 2.00 1.80 percent Jan 2026
Services Sentiment 4.90 5.00 points Mar 2026


Euro Area Consumer Confidence
In Euro Area, the Consumer Economic Sentiment Indicator measures the level of optimism that consumers have about the economy. The survey is made by phone and covers 23 000 households in the Euro Area. The number of households sample varies across the zone. The questions focus on current economic and financial situation, savings intention as well as on expected developments regarding: consumer price indexes, general economic situation and major purchases of durable goods. The Consumer ESI measures consumer confidence on a scale of -100 to 100, where -100 indicate extreme lack of confidence, 0 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-16.30 -12.30 -0.40 -27.50 1985 - 2026 points Monthly
SA

News Stream
Eurozone Consumer Confidence Deteriorates Sharply in March
Euro Area consumer confidence was confirmed at -16.3 in March 2026, the lowest since October 2023, down from -12.3 in the prior month. Broader EU sentiment followed a similar path, dropping to -15.2, near a 2½-year low, from -11.8 in February and consistent with preliminary estimates. Rising inflation expectations linked to the Middle East conflict contributed to the decline, leading consumers to revise downward their expectations for the overall economic situation in their countries. Households also grew more pessimistic about their future finances and less willing to undertake major purchases over the next 12 months while their assessment of past finances remained generally stable.
2026-03-30
Euro Area Consumer Confidence Slips to Near 2-1/2-Year Low
Euro Area consumer confidence plunged by 4 points from a month earlier to -16.3 in March 2026, the lowest since October 2023, worse than forecasts of -14.4, according to flash estimates. The drop reflects growing concerns over the economic outlook, with Middle East tensions pushing energy prices higher and adding to inflationary pressures. In the broader European Union, consumer sentiment plummeted by 3.4 points to -15.2. Confidence in both the eurozone and the EU remains below their long-term averages.
2026-03-23
Eurozone Consumer Confidence Confirmed at Over 1-Year High
Euro area consumer confidence was confirmed at -12.2 in February 2026, the highest reading since November 2024, up from -12.4 in the prior month. In the broader European Union, consumer sentiment stood at -11.7, hovering one-year highs, in line with the preliminary estimate, as consumers’ outlook for the overall economy improved, while views on past household finances and plans for big-ticket purchases over the next year softened. In the meantime, household financial expectations stayed largely stable.
2026-02-26