Finland ranks lowest in Nordic consumers' financial confidence

The useful part

The bank's 2026 Financial Peace of Mind survey showed that the index measuring confidence in personal finances declined in all four Nordic countries. Danske Bank said financial confidence across the region had been weighed down by broadly similar factors, including inflation concerns fueled by a surge in oil prices amid the conflict and military tensions in the Middle East. Higher energy costs have added to household living expenses and renewed concerns over inflation across the Nordic countries.

How it works

• Despite the weaker overall readings, the survey showed that many respondents remained relatively optimistic about their financial situation over the longer term.
• In Finland, 27 percent of respondents said they expected their finances to be somewhat or much better in five years.
• The corresponding shares were 30 percent in Sweden, 25 percent in Norway and 28 percent in Denmark.
• Only 16 percent of Finnish respondents expected their financial situation to improve over the next six months, compared with 22 percent in Sweden and 25 percent in Denmark.
• According to the survey, 47 percent of Finnish respondents cited high inflation and rising prices of everyday goods as a major concern.

What to take from it

A possible recession or slower economic growth worried 34 percent, while 27 pe...

Details worth keeping

Consumers across the Nordic countries have become less confident about their personal finances this year, with Finland recording the weakest level among the four surveyed countries, according to a survey released Thursday by Danske Bank, reported Xinhua.