Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Economic sentiment in Slovakia declined again in March 2026, reflecting weaker expectations among both businesses and households, according to data published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.
The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) fell by 2.5 points month-on-month to 95, marking its lowest level in five months and remaining below the long-term average. The deterioration was broad-based, affecting most sectors, with the exception of construction.
Sentiment weakened most notably in trade and services, while industrial confidence also edged lower. Consumer confidence recorded the sharpest decline, reaching its lowest level in three years. Households expressed more negative expectations regarding the overall economic situation and unemployment, although assessments of personal financial conditions showed slight improvement.
In industry, the confidence indicator declined marginally, influenced by rising inventories of finished goods, particularly in transport equipment manufacturing. At the same time, assessments of order books and expected production showed some improvement.
In services, confidence fell more sharply, driven by weaker demand both in recent months and in expectations. The largest declines were reported in sectors such as arts, entertainment and recreation, while real estate-related activities showed some improvement in business conditions.
Retail sentiment also weakened, with businesses reporting lower confidence in both current and expected activity. More negative assessments were recorded among companies involved in food retail and automotive-related sales, although stock levels were viewed more positively.
Construction was the only sector to report an improvement in sentiment. The confidence indicator rose slightly, supported by stronger assessments of order books and more positive expectations for employment, particularly in civil engineering.
Overall, the data points to a continued softening of economic sentiment in Slovakia, with both businesses and consumers signalling caution amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
