ECB Survey: Consumer inflation expectations stable, growth outlook darkens

ECB Press minimal 2026-01-08 09:00 · European Central Bank

The European Central Bank's Consumer Expectations Survey for November 2025 indicates median inflation expectations remained unchanged across all horizons. However, consumers grew more pessimistic on economic growth, while expectations for spending growth, home prices, and mortgage rates declined.

Inflationary calm prevails

Median consumer perceptions of inflation over the previous 12 months held at 3.1% for the tenth consecutive month. Short-term (12-month) expectations remained at 2.8%, while longer-term expectations (three and five years ahead) were also unchanged at 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. Uncertainty about near-term inflation expectations also remained stable in November.

Growth concerns deepen, housing cools

Expectations for economic growth over the next 12 months became more negative, falling to -1.3% from -1.1% in October. Concurrently, expected unemployment in 12 months decreased slightly to 10.9%, suggesting a broadly stable labor market outlook. Home price growth expectations and anticipated mortgage interest rates both declined in November.

Key Facts

Perceived inflation (past 12m) 3.1% unchanged
Inflation expectations (next 12m) 2.8% unchanged
Economic growth expectations (next 12m) -1.3% -0.2pp
Home price growth expectations (next 12m) 3.4% -0.1pp
Mortgage rate expectations (next 12m) 4.6% -0.1pp
View as JSON · RSS Feed