Central and Eastern Europe sees declining consumer sentiment, except Hungary, signaling uneven economic recovery in the region.
Consumer confidence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has declined, reversing a recovery trend observed from 2023 through mid-2024. The drop follows a fragile economic environment after the initial shock of the Ukraine war in 2022, which had previously triggered a sharp decline in sentiment.
The region had experienced a broad-based rebound in confidence over the past year, but recent data suggests a reversal. Hungary stands out as the sole exception, maintaining stability amid the downturn. The divergence highlights varying economic conditions and policy responses across CEE nations.
Markets may interpret the decline as a sign of weakening domestic demand, potentially impacting growth forecasts for the region.