site.btaConsumer Confidence Indicator Down 0.8 Points in January

In January 2026, the total consumer confidence indicator decreased by 0.8 percentage points in comparison to October 2025 (from -25.1% to -25.9%), which is entirely due to the decreased confidence among the urban population, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) announced on Monday.

In October 2025, a decline in consumer confidence of 4 points was also reported compared to its July level, which was due to decreased confidence among the population in both cities and villages.

In January, the total assessment of the development of the economic situation in the country over the last 12 months remains substantially unchanged compared to the previous survey. However, the forecasts over the next 12 months are slightly more favourable, as a result of which the balance indicator increases by 2.2 percentage points, according to NSI data.

Regarding the financial situation of households over the last 12 months, a reduction of the pessimism in the assessments of people living in villages is observed, as opposed to the urban population, whose assessments are more negative than 3 months earlier. However, the forecasts over the next 12 months of both the urban and rural population are more unfavourable.

Consumers continue to consider that over the last 12 months there has been an increase of the consumer prices, but at a lower rate, as at the same time their inflation expectations about the next 12 months are less intense.

Concerning the unemployment in the country over the next 12 months, the forecasts are shifting towards the more moderate opinions, as a result of which the balance indicator has decreased by 1.2 percentage points.

The last inquiry reports a deterioration in the total assessment of the present situation for making major purchases of durable goods, as the consumers’ intentions to make such expenditures over the next 12 months are more reserved. Their attitude on intentions of making expenditures for "home improvements" and "buying a car" over the next 12 months are also negative.