Finnish Consumer Morale Falls to 2-Year Low

Finland’s consumer confidence declined to -12.5 in April 2026 from -11.5 in March, moving further below the long-term average of -2.9 and marking its lowest level since April 2024. Households’ assessments of their own finances continued to weaken, both in the present (-6.7 vs -6.0) and over the next 12 months (0.7 vs 2.7), alongside increasingly pessimistic views of the broader Finnish economy over the next year (-23.2 vs -21.3) and on current conditions (-47.8 vs -43.9). Meanwhile, consumers’ views on the timing of purchasing durable goods became more negative (-21.5 vs -17.0), as did their views on taking out loans (-39.6 vs -34.2). Intentions to buy a car also declined (13.6 vs 14.1), as did plans for major home purchases (9.5 vs 12.2). Inflation expectations edged up for both the present (4.9 vs 4.7) and the year ahead (4.4 vs 4.1). Moreover, concerns about unemployment eased slightly (-29.3 vs -29.6), while perceptions of the threat of unemployment worsened (-16.2 vs -16.0).

Finland’s consumer confidence declined to -11.5 in March 2026 from -10.5 in the previous month, moving further below the long-term average of -2.8 and marking its lowest level since April 2024. Households’ assessments of their own finances continued to weaken, both in the present (-6 vs -5.5) and over the next 12 months (2.7 vs 4), alongside increasingly pessimistic views on the broader Finnish economy over the next year (-21.3 vs -17.9), while views on current conditions eased slightly (-43.9 vs -44.4). Meanwhile, consumers’ assessments of the favorable timing for purchasing durable goods were less negative (-17 vs -21), as did views on taking out loans (-34.2 vs -34.3). Intentions to buy a car also rose (14.1 vs 13.8), as did plans for major home purchases (12.2 vs 11.2). Inflation edged up both for the present (4.7 vs 4.6) and the year ahead (4.1 vs 4). Moreover, concerns about unemployment worsened (-29.6 vs -25.6), while the perceived threat of unemployment held steady at -16.

Finland’s consumer confidence declined to -10.5 in February 2026 from -8.7 in the previous month, marking its lowest level since April 2024 and moving further below the long-term average of -2.8. Households’ assessments of their own finances continued to weaken (-5.5 vs -3 in January), alongside increasingly pessimistic views on the broader Finnish economy, both currently (-44.4 vs -41.8) and over the next 12 months (-17.9 vs -16). Consumers also viewed it as a less favorable time to purchase durable goods (-20.9 vs -15), take out loans (-34.3 vs -29.9), or make major home purchases (11.2 vs 11.8). Moreover, inflation expectations rose, both for the present (4.6% vs 4.1%) and for a year ahead (4% vs 3.5%). Although concerns about unemployment eased slightly, sentiment remained subdued regarding the general unemployment outlook (-25.6 vs -26.5) and the perceived personal threat of unemployment (-16 vs -18.4).