27.12.201609:49:00UTC+00Finland's Consumer Confidence Hits Highest Level in Nearly Six Years

Finland's consumer confidence strengthened further in December to hit the highest level in nearly six years. Data released by Statistics Finland showed Tuesday that Finland's consumer confidence indicator rose to 19.5 in December from 17.6 in the previous month. It was the strongest reading since February 2011.

The index measuring general economic situation for the next twelve months climbed to 14.9 in December from 12.0 in November. Industrial confidence index rose from previous -4 to 1 in December.

Households' expectations regarding their own financial situation for the next 12 months improved in December with the corresponding index rising to 8.4 from 7.4 in the previous month. In December, 37 percent of consumers thought unemployment would decrease over the coming year, while 23 percent of them believed it would decrease.

Consumer prices expectations for the next twelve months were up at 1.6 percent. In December, 47 percent of consumers thought the time was favorable for making major purchases, while 53 percent of households considered saving worthwhile.