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: Economic Expectations Rise – But Consumer Climate Isn’t Keeping Pace

Nuremberg, October 28, 2026 – Following last month’s setback, Consumer Climate is currently stabilizing at a low level. The indicator, which reflects consumer expectations for November, declines slightly by 0.2 points to -30.8 points (previous month: -30.6 points). A year ago, the indicator stood at -22.5 points. Consumer Climate thus remains well below the previous year’s level. The trends in the individual indicators paint a mixed picture: While economic expectations are rising for the sixth consecutive month and the willingness to save is decreasing moderately, the willingness to buy continues to decline slightly. Income expectations are also dimming somewhat once again. These are the findings of the NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK.