He Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) recorded a monthly decline of 1.1% in December, interrupting the improvement process observed in previous months. The decline in the index measured by the Finance Research Center of Di Tella University reflects Greater restraint among households regarding the economic situation, income and consumption prospects.
Consumer confidence again showed signs of weakness towards the end of the year. In December the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) registered a 1.1% decrease compared to Novemberwhich slowed the gradual recovery process that had taken hold in previous months.
The data confirm that despite some macroeconomic stabilization Families remain cautious when assessing their economic situation and making spending decisions, in an environment that is still characterized by loss of purchasing power and uncertainty about income developments.
What explains the decline in consumer confidence?
The decline in December was associated with a Deterioration in perception of personal situation and the economy in generaland a more negative assessment of the conditions for purchasing durable goods.
The brake on the improvement of the index is particularly reflected:
Greater caution regarding the current economic situationboth on a personal and country level.
Doubts about the future development of real incomein a scenario of price and tariff adjustments.
Lower predisposition to consumptionespecially for higher value goods.
End the year with moderate consumption
Although the CCI had shown a positive trend in the past few months, December data suggests otherwise The restoration of trust has not yet been consolidated. Towards the end of the year, consumers become more defensive, prioritizing savings or covering essential expenses over discretionary consumption.
This behavior is consistent with other activity and consumption indicators showing: heterogeneous recoverywith specific improvements but without a general expansion of domestic demand.
Outlook for the beginning of 2026
Looking ahead to the first months of 2026, the development of consumer confidence will be closely linked to this the path of inflation, real wages and employment. A sustained slowdown in prices and improvement in income could gradually revive the index, while new adjustments or price shocks could increase household caution.
The December data leaves a clear signal for now: Confidence has faltered and the recovery remains fragilewith consumers paying attention to the evolving economic context before returning to higher levels of spending.
In development…
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