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Published: 25 February 2021

Consumer confidence unchanged – most intentions to buy a dwelling ever

The consumer confidence indicator (CCI) stood at -0.8 in February, having been -0.9 in January and -4.6 in December. In last year’s February, the CCI received the value -4.5. The long-term average for the CCI is -1.8. The data are based on Statistics Finland’s Consumer Confidence Survey, to which 994 persons resident in Finland responded between 1 and 16 February.

Consumer confidence indicator (CCI)

Of the four components of the CCI, only consumers’ views of their own economy at present weakened in February compared to January. The other components improved slightly. Also compared with the corresponding period last year, the views of one’s own economy at present were now worse. The other three components of the CCI improved clearly over the year.

In February, consumers' expectations concerning their own economy one year from now were very bright and intentions to spend money on durable goods were high. By contrast, consumers’ views of their own economy at present were fairly gloomy in February. Expectations on the development of Finland’s economy remained on level with the long-term average.

Consumers' expectations concerning their own and Finland's economy in 12 months' time

Consumers' expectations concerning the development of the general unemployment situation in Finland remained unchanged and fairly pessimistic in February. Among employed persons, i.e. wage and salary earners and self-employed persons, the view on the personal threat of unemployment or temporary lay-off at the time of the survey improved, but still remained at a weak level. Consumers' estimates of the rising rate of consumer prices in the coming months remained more or less unchanged and clearly below their average in February.

In February, consumers still considered their own financial situation to be excellent. The time was regarded as favourable for saving and reasonable also for buying durable goods and taking out a loan. In addition, very many were still intending to raise a loan. In February, consumers had more plans to buy a dwelling than ever before in the measuring history since 1998. Many were also considering renovating their dwelling during the next 12 months.

Consumer confidence by major region and population group

In February, consumer confidence in the economy was clearly strongest in Greater Helsinki (CCI 4.2) and weakest in Western Finland (-3.0). Among population groups, upper-level salaried employees were most optimistic (9.2). Pensioners had the most pessimistic expectations concerning economic development (-8.7). The confidence indicator received the value -4.9 among self-employed persons in February.

Consumer confidence in the economy usually decreases with the person’s age, and correspondingly the confidence typically increases as income grows. Men are likely to have better confidence in the economy than women. More detailed information is available in the Database tables .

EU results

The (seasonally adjusted) survey results concerning economic expectations for all EU countries are released monthly on the European Commission website: Press releases .

Concepts

The balance figures are obtained by deducting the weighted proportion of negative answers from that of positive answers. The consumer confidence indicator (CCI/A1) is the average of the balance figures for the CCI components. The components of the CCI are: consumer's own economy now (B1), consumer's own economy in 12 months (B2), Finland's economy in 12 months (B4) and consumer's spending money on major purchases in the next 12 months compared to the past 12 months (E1). The balance figures and the confidence indicator can range between -100 and +100 – the higher (positive) balance figure, the brighter the view on the economy.

Source: Consumer Confidence 2021, February. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Pertti Kangassalo 029 551 3598, Tuomas Parikka 029 551 3276, consumer.confidence@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (412.1 kB)

Reviews

• 1. Examination of response distributions (25.2.2021)
• 2. Method of the Consumer Confidence Survey (25.2.2021)

Tables

Tables in databases

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

• Database tables and their variables
• Archived tables

Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Consumers' views and intentions 1) (25.2.2021)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Consumer confidence indicator (CCI) (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 2. Own economy (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 3. Finland's economy (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 4. Inflation (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 5. Unemployment (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 6. Favourability of time for (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 7. Own financial situation and saving possibilities (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 8. Intention to raise a loan, next 12 months (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure 9. Spending on durables, next 12 months vs. last 12 months (25.2.2021)
• Appendix figure10. Intentions to buy, next 12 months (25.2.2021)

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Updated 25.2.2021