Finnish Consumer Confidence Remains Weak

Finland’s consumer confidence indicator increased to -5.3 in June 2026 from -10.5 in May. It was the highest reading since February 2022, when the indicator was in positive territory, though it remained well below the long-term average of -2.9. Consumers expected the country's economy to strengthen sharply over the next 12 months (-6.3 vs -21.9 in May), while their assessment of their current personal financial situation remained steady (at -3.0), and they became much more optimistic about their own finances over the next 12 months (7.0 vs 4.6 in May). Consumers continued to regard the timing for purchasing durable goods as less unfavorable (-13.0 vs -16.8), while their intention to save improved (-9.6 vs -11.4). Meanwhile, labor market sentiment improved, with 21% of consumers expecting unemployment to decline over the next year. However, inflation expectations remained elevated, with expected inflation holding at 4.6% over the next 12 months.

Finland’s consumer confidence indicator rose to -10.5 in May 2026 from -12.5 in April, though it remained well below the long-term average of -2.9. Consumers became less pessimistic about their current financial situation (-3.0 vs -6.7 in April) and their finances over the next 12 months (4.6 vs 0.7), while expectations for Finland’s economy also improved slightly (-21.9 vs -23.2). However, views on both personal finances and the broader economy remained weak overall. Consumers continued to regard the timing for purchasing durable goods as highly unfavorable (-16.8 vs -21.5), while spending intentions stayed subdued. Plans to buy a dwelling (9.1 vs 9.5) were the lowest level on record since 1998, and intentions to raise a loan (14.6% vs 17.0%) and buy a car (12.5% vs 13.6%) also declined. Meanwhile, labor market sentiment remained gloomy and inflation expectations elevated, with expected inflation holding at 4.4% over the next 12 months.

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).