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 Improves

Nuremberg, 27 August 2026 – Consumer sentiment in Germany has improved this month. The Consumer Climate has increased by 2.8 points following consumers’ expectations for September and now stands at -26.6 points (previous month revised: -29.4 points). This noticeable rise is attributable not only to a slight decline in the willingness to save but, above all, to a significant increase in income expectations. Economic prospects have also developed somewhat more positively this month, whilst the willingness to buy remains virtually unchanged. This is shown by the latest results of the NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK.