Consumer confidence: current sentiment & forecasts

The GfK Consumer Climate survey, which is being conducted regularly since 1974 and monthly 1980, is regarded as an important indicator of German consumer behavior and a guiding light for Germany's economic development. The Consumer Climate is based on about 2,000 monthly consumer interviews that are conducted on behalf of the European Commission.

Since October 2023, the consumer climate data was collected by GfK is being analyzed and published jointly with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM).

In April 2026, as part of a reorganization of responsibilities, NIM also takes over all public relations activities. From that point on, the survey will be published under the name “NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK”, marking the full organizational return of the Consumer Climate survey to NIM, which was responsible for the study until 1984 (then known as GfK Verein).

The data will continue to be collected by NIQ/GfK on behalf of the NIM. The methodology, data collection, and analysis will remain unchanged.

Latest consumer climate

Consumer Climate: Significant Setback

Nuremberg, 25 September 2026 – Consumer Climate in Germany shows a significant setback in September The Consumer Climate indicator for October has fallen by 3.8 points to -30.6 points (previous month revised: -26.8 points). This decrease is attributable not only to an increased willingness to save but, above all, to a significant drop in income expectations. The willingness to buy also fell slightly, whilst economic expectations remained virtually unchanged. These are the finding of the NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK.