HIBAPRESS
The High Commission for Planning (HCP) reported that the household confidence index stabilized at 59.2 points during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 53.6 points during the same quarter last year.
In a press release on the results of the household economic survey for the third quarter of 2026, the HCP clarified that the findings of the permanent survey on household economic conditions showed that the household confidence index recorded a slight decrease during the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, and an improvement compared to the same quarter of 2025.
According to the HCP, 76.3% of households stated during the third quarter of 2026 that their living standards had deteriorated over the past twelve months, while 18.5% considered them to have remained the same, and 5.2% believed they had improved. The balance for this indicator settled at a negative level of -71.1 points.
Regarding the evolution of living standards over the next 12 months, 51.7% of households expect a deterioration, compared to 39.6% who expect them to remain the same, while 8.7% anticipate an improvement. The balance of opinions related to this indicator remained negative, reaching -43 points.
The HCP added that 61.3% of households, compared to 17.3%, expect an increase in unemployment over the next 12 months. The balance of opinions related to this indicator settled at -44 points.
On the other hand, 63.8% of households, compared to 14.5%, considered the conditions unfavorable for purchasing durable goods. The balance of opinions related to this indicator remained negative, recording -49.3 points.
During the third quarter of 2026, 58.2% of households stated that their income covers their expenses, while 39% reported resorting to borrowing or drawing from their savings, and 2.8% confirmed they are able to save a portion of their income. The balance of opinions regarding the current financial situation of households reached -36.2 points.
As for the evolution of households' financial situation over the past 12 months, 44.9% of them, compared to 4.7%, considered it to have deteriorated. The balance of opinions related to this indicator settled at -40.2 points.
Regarding the evolution of households' financial situation over the next 12 months, 16.5% of them expect their financial situation to improve, compared to 65.1% who expect it to remain the same, and 18.4% expect it to deteriorate. The balance of opinions related to this indicator reached -1.9 points.
It is worth noting that the household confidence index is calculated based on 7 indicators, four of which relate to the general situation, while the remaining ones concern the family's specific situation. These are: "Past trends in living standards," "Prospects for the evolution of living standards," "Prospects for the evolution of unemployment numbers," "Opportunities to purchase durable goods," "Current financial situation of households," "Past evolution of households' financial situation," and "Future evolution of households' financial situation."
