Finland Times

The Consumers' confidence in the economy has continued to grow slightly in Finland in December, said a consumer survey reports released by the statistics Finland on Tursday.

According to the reports, the consumer confidence indicator in December was 3.5, while it was 1.0 in November and October, -1.6. In December, consumer confidence was slightly stronger than a year ago (0.4), but significantly lower than the long-term average (12.6). The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, which interviewed 3 - 17 December 1 365 people resident in Finland.

Consumer confidence indicator, only the four components of the already good estimates of households' saving significantly improved in December from the previous month. In addition, the views of the Finnish unemployment trends were less pessimistic than in the past. Consumers' expectations of their own and Finland's economy remained unchanged in December, the former and the latter are cautious grim.

In December, employed consumers felt that some first-hand the threat of unemployment. In addition, in December, consumers considered the time favorable for saving than borrowing or buying durable goods.

In December, 23 percent of consumers believed that Finland's economic situation to improve over the next year. Consumers 40 per cent of the country's economy would deteriorate. The corresponding proportions were last December 14 and 51 percent.

Own economy would improve within one year of relying on December 24 percent of consumers and 17 per cent feared to weaken.

Unemployment and inflation

11 per cent of consumers thought in December, the unemployment rate in Finland is reduced over the next year, and 61 per cent believed it would increase. The corresponding proportions were November 9 and 68 per cent a year ago, and 11 and 63 per cent.

In December, 10 percent of employed persons believed that the threat of unemployment declined in recent months and, in the 21 per cent thought it had grown. Nearly half of all employed (47%) of them believed the threat had remained unchanged, and one-fifth (22%) felt that they were not threatened by unemployment.

Consumers estimate in December that consumer prices will rise 3.1 per cent in the next 12 months. Inflation expectations for the long-term average is 2.2 per cent.

Saving and borrowing

In December, 57 percent of consumers considered saving worthwhile. The corresponding proportion was 65 per cent a year ago. In December, two out of three households (66%) had been left some money, and four out of five (81%) think they can during the next year. The latter accounted for 78 per cent in November.

Borrowing In December, 56 percent of consumers. The corresponding proportion was 62 percent a month earlier and 40 percent a year ago. Households were slightly fewer, or 11 per cent in December designed to take out a loan within one year.

For buying consumer durables

36 per cent of consumers thought in December that the time favorable for buying durable goods. As many (36%) had consumed a bad idea. Moderate consumption intentions, 16 per cent of households were fairly or very certain to buy a car and 7 per cent a dwelling within a year. Renovation of residences designed in December 19 per cent of households.

Consumers' views on the economy

Question of balance obtained by deducting the emphasis on the positive responses of the percentage of negative answers from. consumer confidence indicator is the average of the elements of the balance figures. The balance figures and the confidence indicator can range between -100 and +100 - the higher the (positive) number, the brighter the view of the economy.

View column Explanation: + + Outlook is very good, + Outlook + / - Outlook is neutral, - Outlook is poor, - Outlook is very poor. Balance Chapter average deviation compared to the standard deviation.

Population of the study and the sample

Consumer Survey comprises 4.4 million 15 to 84 years of age, and their 2.6 million households in Finland. The population was expanded from 75 to 84 years of age from January 2012. The gross sample size is a monthly 2 350 employees (2 200 people in the past).

In December survey non-response rate was 41.9 percent. Non-response rate of the investigation, or otherwise non-blocked in addition to those to whom it was not possible to reach.

Population expansion of 75 to 84 years old that the responses expected impact on consumer confidence indicator value with plenty of one unit from January 2012.