Eurozone Consumer Confidence Confirmed at Over 1-Year High

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.

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.

Eurozone consumer confidence edged up by 0.2 points from a month earlier to -12.2 in February 2026, the highest reading since November 2024, slightly below forecasts of -11.8, according to flash estimates. In the broader European Union, consumer sentiment stood at -11.7, unchanged from the previous month. However, the indexes in both the euro area and the EU continue to signal cautious household sentiment, remaining below long-term averages.