January 2014: Flash Consumer Confidence Indicator

The euro area indicator has surpassed its long-term average of -13.3 for the first time since July 2011.

In January 2014, the DG ECFIN flash estimate of the consumer confidence indicator improved markedly in both the EU (-8.8 after -10.9 in December 2013) and in the euro area (-11.7 after -13.5 in December 2013). The euro area indicator has surpassed its long-term average of -13.3 for the first time since July 2011.

Computation of Flash CCI

To compute the flash consumer confidence indicator for the EU and euro area, DG ECFIN uses the data available on the cut-off date. The estimation procedure combines historical data with information from those Member States for which data are available in the reference month. Experience has shown this procedure to be statistically reliable.

Further information on the computation procedure can be found in the European Business Cycle Indicators of January 2010.