2026-04-29
Economic Tendency Survey April 2026
A normal sentiment level, but more pessimistic consumers
The Economic Tendency Indicator declined marginally in April and continues to indicate a sentiment level of normal strength. Sentiment is at a normal level across all sectors of the business sector, with the exception of retail trade, where it is stronger than normal. The confidence indicator for consumers decreased and remains below the normal level. Aggregate price plans within the business sector increased slightly and indicate, to a greater extent than usual, rising prices.
All sectors of the business sector, except the service sector, expect to raise selling prices to a greater extent than normal; however, price plans remain at approximately the same level as over the past three years. Price plans rose very sharply in retail trade and manufacturing. Within manufacturing, the increase was primarily driven by the domestic market, where the rise in the net balance was the largest recorded since the survey began in 1996. The substantial increase in price plans within retail trade is largely attributable to fewer firms in the grocery trade expecting price reductions. Nevertheless, there are still more firms in the grocery trade anticipating price decreases than price increases.
Sentiment in manufacturing remains largely unchanged and is in line with the normal level. Although the indicator is at its historical average, incoming orders from the domestic market are reported to have increased to a significantly greater extent than normal and are expected to continue to do so over the next three months.
The confidence indicator for construction declined and indicates a sentiment level consistent with normal conditions. Expectations point, to a greater extent than usual, towards increased building activity over the coming three months, and firms in the sector are considerably more optimistic than normal about the construction market over a one-year horizon.
The confidence indicator for the service sector increased marginally and is at a normal level. The increase is driven by firms’ more positive assessments of developments in their operations over the past three months.
The confidence indicator for consumers decreased in April and continues to indicate a weaker-than-normal sentiment. The decline was observed across all components of the indicator, most notably in perceptions of the current economic situation in Sweden compared with twelve months ago. Consumers’ expectations regarding their own financial situation over the next twelve months, as well as their attitudes towards major purchases, remain significantly below normal and contribute most to the indicator’s low level. The decline was concentrated among men, while sentiment among women increased slightly.
In connection with the quarterly publication in April, we are changing the accounting principles for quarterly series and reducing the number of series in the statistical database; read more about the changes here.
