Sweden Consumer Sentiment Rises to 4-Month High

Sweden's household confidence indicator increased to 96.3 in February 2026 from a downwardly revised 95 in the previous month. This was the highest level since October 2025, reflecting an improvement in assessments of both households’ current finances (3 vs -2 in January) and the current state of the economy (-16 vs -22) compared with a year earlier. A larger-than-usual share of households also reported that they are currently saving, and many expect to be able to save over the next twelve months. In contrast, expectations for both household finances (9 vs. 11) and the broader economy (-10 vs. -7) over the coming year weakened. Household expectations about unemployment edged up (11 vs 10), while inflation prospects rose slightly (6.6 vs 6.5). Households’ attitude towards major purchases remains subdued, with plans pointing to a continued decline in capital goods spending over the next year.

Sweden's household confidence indicator fell to 95.3 in January 2026 from an upwardly revised 95.8 in the previous month. It marked the lowest level since September 2025, as households’ assessment of their finances over the past year turned negative (-2 vs 1 in December), while expectations for the next twelve months remained unchanged at 12. The perceived risk of unemployment worsened (-5 vs -3) in January, although national unemployment expectations fell to 10 from 15. Attitudes toward capital goods declined slightly (-19 vs -18), while planned purchases for the next year improved marginally (-13 vs -14). On the other hand, households’ view of their current financial situation became more positive (64 vs 61), and more households expect to save over the next year (48 vs 42). Households' perceptions of the Swedish economy also improved, as sentiment regarding the past year was less pessimistic (-23 vs -28), while expectations for the year ahead remained unchanged at -6.

Sweden’s household confidence indicator was little changed at 95.8 in December 2025 from 95.7 in November, and remained below its long-term average. Households’ assessment of their finances over the past year improved marginally to 1 from 0 in November, while expectations for the next twelve months increased to 12 from 10. However, perceptions of the Swedish economy weakened, with sentiment in the past year falling to -28 from -26, and expectations for the year ahead declined to -6 from -2. The perceived risk of unemployment eased slightly to -2 from -3, though national unemployment expectations stayed at 15. Attitudes toward capital goods purchases were stable at -17, with planned purchases for the next year improving slightly to -14 from -16. Households’ view of their current financial situation became less positive (61 vs 63), and fewer expect to save over the next year (42 vs 47).