The Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) dropped to 96.6 in March 2026, down from a revised 98.2 in February and missing market forecasts of 96.8. The decline was fueled by rising inflation expectations tied to the Middle East conflict, with consumer confidence plunging (-16.3 vs. -12.3) as inflation fears surged 17.2 points to 43.4, the highest since July 2022. Retailer sentiment also weakened (-7.2 vs. -5.2), while service sector confidence held steady (4.9 vs. 5.0). Manufacturers saw a slight improvement (-7.0 vs. -7.2), though their selling price expectations jumped 7.4 points to 19.7, the highest in three years. Construction sentiment edged up (-2.0 vs. -2.2). Among major economies, the ESI fell sharply in France (-3.7) and Spain (-2.4), with notable declines in the Netherlands (-1.5) and Italy (-1.3), while Germany remained stable (-0.1). source: European Commission

Economic Optimism Index In the Euro Area decreased to 96.60 points in March from 98.20 points in February of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in Euro Area averaged 99.97 points from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 119.80 points in October of 2021 and a record low of 57.70 points in April of 2020. This page provides - Euro Area Economic Sentiment Indicator- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Euro Area Economic Sentiment Indicator - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Economic Optimism Index In the Euro Area decreased to 96.60 points in March from 98.20 points in February of 2026. Economic Optimism Index in Euro Area is expected to be 96.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Euro Area Economic Sentiment Indicator is projected to trend around 99.00 points in 2027 and 101.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-26 10:00 AM
Economic Sentiment
Feb 98.3 99.3 99.8 99.5
2026-03-30 09:00 AM
Economic Sentiment
Mar 96.6 98.2 96.8 96
2026-04-29 09:00 AM
Economic Sentiment
Apr 96.6

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence -16.30 -12.30 points Mar 2026
Consumer Inflation Expectations 43.40 26.20 points Mar 2026
Industrial Sentiment -7.00 -7.20 points Mar 2026
Selling Price Expectations 19.70 12.30 points Mar 2026
Services Sentiment 4.90 5.00 points Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence -0.27 -0.36 points Mar 2026
Economic Sentiment 96.60 98.20 points Mar 2026


Euro Area Economic Sentiment Indicator
In the Euro Area, the Economic sentiment indicator is a composite measure (average=100) that calculates the confidence level among: manufacturers (40 percent of the index); service providers (30 percent); consumers (20 percent); retailers (5 percent) and constructors (5 percent).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
96.60 98.20 119.80 57.70 1985 - 2026 points Monthly
SA

News Stream
Eurozone Economic Sentiment Plummets in March
The Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) dropped to 96.6 in March 2026, down from a revised 98.2 in February and missing market forecasts of 96.8. The decline was fueled by rising inflation expectations tied to the Middle East conflict, with consumer confidence plunging (-16.3 vs. -12.3) as inflation fears surged 17.2 points to 43.4, the highest since July 2022. Retailer sentiment also weakened (-7.2 vs. -5.2), while service sector confidence held steady (4.9 vs. 5.0). Manufacturers saw a slight improvement (-7.0 vs. -7.2), though their selling price expectations jumped 7.4 points to 19.7, the highest in three years. Construction sentiment edged up (-2.0 vs. -2.2). Among major economies, the ESI fell sharply in France (-3.7) and Spain (-2.4), with notable declines in the Netherlands (-1.5) and Italy (-1.3), while Germany remained stable (-0.1).
2026-03-30
Eurozone Economic Sentiment Slips in February
The Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) fell to 98.3 in February 2026, down from a three-year high of 99.3 in January and below market expectations of 99.8. Sentiment weakened among service providers (5.0 vs 6.8), manufacturers (-7.1 vs -6.8), and construction firms (-2.1 vs -1.3). Consumer confidence (-12.2 vs -12.4) and retailer sentiment (-4.5 vs -5.7) showed modest improvement. Among major economies, the ESI declined sharply in France (-2.8), followed by Italy (-0.6), while remaining broadly stable in Spain (±0.0), Germany (-0.2), and Netherlands (-0.2). On the pricing front, consumer inflation expectations rose 1.6 points to 25.8, while manufacturers’ selling price expectations increased 1.2 points to 11.5, highlighting ongoing inflationary pressures.
2026-02-26
Eurozone Economic Sentiment Hits 3-Year High
The Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) climbed to 99.4 in January 2026, up 2.2 points from a revised 97.2 in December and well above market expectations of 97.0, marking its highest level since January 2023. Sentiment among service providers rose to 7.2, the strongest since January 2024, while manufacturers’ confidence improved to -6.8, the best reading since May 2023. Consumer confidence also strengthened, reaching -12.4, its highest since February 2025. On the pricing front, consumer inflation expectations eased 2.6 points to 24.1, and manufacturers’ selling price expectations fell 0.8 points to 10. Among the bloc’s largest economies, the ESI rose in France (+5.8), Germany (+3.0), the Netherlands (+2.3), Spain (+1.7), and Italy (+1.3).
2026-01-29