Czech business and consumer confidence in January broadly stable, consumer sentiment declines

Confidence in the Czech economy remained largely unchanged in January 2026, with the composite economic sentiment indicator holding at the same level recorded in December, according to the Czech Statistical Office release based on the latest Business Cycle Surveys. The overall confidence indicator stayed at 100.2 points, slightly above its long-term average, reflecting a balance between modest gains in business sentiment and weaker consumer confidence.

The business confidence indicator increased marginally in January, rising by 0.6 points to 98.6, while the consumer confidence indicator declined by 2.8 points to 108.2. Among business sectors, sentiment improved in selected services, industry and trade, but fell in construction.

Specifically, confidence among service providers strengthened modestly in January, while industry and trade recorded smaller increases. In contrast, businesses in the construction sector reported a decline in confidence compared with December. The data suggest that firms in some sectors are more optimistic about near-term conditions, even as challenges persist in others.

Consumer confidence weakened during the month, with a larger share of households expressing expectations that the overall economic situation in the Czech Republic would deteriorate over the next year. At the same time, there was a slight increase in the share of households expecting an improvement in their own financial situation over the coming 12 months and a small rise in the proportion who view their current finances as worse than a year earlier. The number of consumers planning to forgo major purchases in the next year also increased.

The January survey results reflect data collected in mid-January and form part of the Czech Statistical Office’s ongoing monitoring of business and consumer attitudes. The surveys are used to gauge short-term economic trends and contribute to broader assessments of economic conditions in the Czech Republic.

The release also notes a change in the base period used to calculate the long-term average of the confidence indices. For 2026, the long-term average is calculated from January 2003 through December 2025, and this adjustment will be maintained in future January releases.

The next Business Cycle Surveys release is scheduled for 24 February 2026.

Source: CSO