Swedish households are the most optimistic about the economic future of all EU residents. However, paradoxically, they are the least willing to make purchases of all, according to GFK Euro Climate Reports' monthly measurements of the mood among European households.
With lower inflation and more interest rate cuts on the horizon, Swedish households have risen to become the most optimistic among EU countries.
"In the same way that we were the most negative two years ago, we are now among the most positive when it comes to economic expectations," says Charlotte Alring, business manager in Sweden for consumer panels within GFK (Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung), in a written comment.
Despite this, Swedes are not ready to open their wallets.
"Compared to the EU average, we are almost three times as negative towards making purchases and thus occupy the bottom spot in the EU in terms of willingness to consume," writes GFK.
Overall, across the entire EU, the average consumer view of the economy has been positive for the first time since the beginning of 2022.
The study is based on a survey of approximately 2,000 consumers in each country.
