The economic sentiment index deteriorated in the EU and the euro area in March, but improved in Hungary

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 03. 31. 11:26

The economic sentiment index in the euro area and the European Union deteriorated in March compared to the previous month, while it improved in Hungary, according to a survey by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN).

The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) in the euro area fell to 95.2 points from 96.3 points in February, and the European Union’s economic sentiment index fell from 96.9 points to 96 points.

The Employment Expectations Indicator (EEI) weakened from 98.4 points to 97.7 points in the EU and from 97.4 points to 96.7 points in the euro area.

The consumer sentiment index in the EU fell from minus 12.9 points in February to minus 13.9 points, and from minus 13.6 points in the euro area to minus 14.5 points in March.

In the case of Hungary, the Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) rose to 95.3 points in March from 93.6 points in February.

The Employment Expectations Index (EEI) deteriorated from 101 points to 99.4 points. The industrial indicator fell from minus 11 points in February to minus 13.3 points, while the service sector index rose from minus 14.7 points to minus 11.2 points. Consumer sentiment improved from minus 27.6 points to minus 26.5 points, and the retail sentiment index strengthened from minus 22.3 points to minus 19 points. The construction sentiment index fell from minus 20.8 points in February to minus 23.9 points in March.