The balance figure of the Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) stood at minus 6.6 in September, having been minus 7.6 in August and minus 6.4 in July, according to Statistics Finland.
One year ago in September, the CCI received the value minus 8.1. The long-term average for the CCI is minus 2.7.
The data are based on Statistics Finland’s consumer confidence survey, to which 1,260 persons resident in Finland responded between 1 and 18 September.
In September 2025, confidence in the economy was highest in Greater Helsinki (CCI minus 4.7) and lowest in Eastern and Northern Finland (minus 8.8).
Of the socio-economic groups, upper-level salaried employees were clearly most optimistic (2.5) while unemployed persons had the most negative expectations concerning economic development (minus 19.9) in September.
Women’s interpretation of the economic development was still clearly gloomier (minus 9.7) than men’s ( minus 3.6).
Consumers’ expectations concerning the development of Finland’s economy improved slightly in September compared to August but still remained on a fairly weak level.
Consumers’ views on their own economy remained almost unchanged and cautious.
Compared to the previous year, consumers’ sentiments about their own economy improved in September, while expectations concerning Finland’s economy remained unchanged.
Twenty-four per cent of consumers thought in September that their own economy was worse at the time of the survey than one year ago. About as many, or 25 per cent, thought their own economy was better than in the year before. In September, 60 per cent of consumers thought that Finland’s economic situation was weaker than one year earlier, and only 10 per cent saw it as stronger.
In September, 21 per cent of consumers believed that Finland’s economic situation would improve in the coming twelve months, while 38 per cent of them assumed that country´s economy would decline. In all, 29 per cent of consumers believed in September that their own economy would improve and 17 per cent feared it would weaken over the year.
Consumers' expectations concerning the development of the general unemployment situation in Finland remained pessimistic in September. Only 15 per cent of consumers expected that unemployment would decrease over the next year, and over one half, or 56 per cent, believed it would increase.
Employed consumers, that is, wage and salary earners and self-employed persons, reckoned that their personal threat of unemployment or lay-off also was relatively high. Five per cent of employed persons believed that their personal threat had lessened and one-fourth, or 25 per cent, thought the risk had grown. On the other hand, 41 per cent of employed persons felt in September that they were not threatened by unemployment or lay-off at all.
In September, consumers' estimates of the inflation at the time of the survey and price changes in one year's time were still fairly high.
Consumers estimated that consumer prices have risen by 4.6 per cent from last year's September and would go up by 3.8 per cent over the next year. Over one half of consumers, or 54 per cent, thought consumer prices have risen much or fairly much over the year, and 55 per cent of them expected prices to rise at least at the same rate over the coming months as well.
In September, the time was regarded to be very poor for raising a loan and unfavourable for saving as well. Thirty per cent of consumers regarded the time favourable for raising a loan and 43 per cent considered saving worthwhile. However, intentions to raise a loan were slightly higher than usual. Seventeen per cent of consumers were planning to raise a loan within one year.
Consumers' assessments of their own financial situation were slightly brighter in September than the long-term average. Still, it was estimated that there would be slightly fewer saving possibilities in the coming months than usual. In September, over one half, or 58 per cent of consumers, had been able to lay aside some money and 69 per cent believed they would be able to do so during the next 12 months.
In September, the time was still considered very unfavourable for buying durable goods. Only 15 per cent of consumers thought the time was favourable for making expensive purchases.
Consumers’ intentions to spend money on durable goods within the next 12 months were fairly scant. Only 10 per cent of consumers estimated they would increase and 36 per cent that they would reduce their spending on durable goods over the next 12 months.
Slightly more consumers than the long-term average considered buying a car within one year. By contrast, plans to buy a dwelling and also intentions to renovate one’s dwelling were lower than usual.
In September, 15 per cent of consumers were either definitely or possibly going to buy a car during the next 12 months. Only 11 per cent of consumers considered buying a dwelling or building a house. Sixteen per cent of consumers were planning to spend money on renovating their home during the next 12 months.
- Consumer confidence
- Weak
- September
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
