Sweden Consumer Morale Weakens

Sweden's household confidence indicator fell to 95.2 in March 2026 from a four-month high of 96.3 in the previous month. Households grew slightly less optimistic about their personal finances over the next twelve months (8 vs 9 in February), while views on the broader Swedish economy deteriorated more sharply (-17 vs -10). At the same time, concerns over unemployment intensified (18 vs 12), signaling rising unease about labor market conditions. Expectations for personal savings over the coming year softened (44 vs 47), pointing to a more cautious financial outlook. Meanwhile, attitudes toward purchasing capital goods improved modestly (-11 vs -14). On prices, households now anticipate higher inflation over the next twelve months (7.3% vs 6.6%), while their assessment of inflation over the past year eased (11.0% vs 13.2%).

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.