GfK: Romanians are more confident about overcoming the difficult economic situation

Romanians’ level of trust increased in 2013, the general index measured by the Consumer Confidence Barometer conducted by GfK for the European Commission, reaching an annual average of minus 35. According to Andi Dumitrescu, general manager GfK Romania, Romanians’ level of trust will further increase this year due to the promises made during the elections. “Every time, during these periods, the confidence reached a level higher than the average,” said Dumitrescu. “Almost 40 percent of the Romanians said last month that their family’s financial situation is more difficult than 12 months before, while 13 percent considered it to be better”, shows the study. However, according to GfK, the situation shows an improvement compared to the end of the previous year. In terms of financial prospects, only 32 percent of the respondents said their situation become worse during 2013, this being the best annual average since 2009. Almost 60 percent of the Romanians said the general condition of the economy suffered a setback in 2013 compared to the previous year. “However, the situation is better than in December 2012, when 68 of the Romanians said the same thing, with 10 percent more,” according to GfK. There were also Romanians who saw an improvement in the country’s economic situation last year, while their hopes for 2014 are slightly higher, with 18 percent of the respondents hoping things to get better. In December 2013, 7 out of 10 Romanians believe that prices were higher in 2013 compared to the previous year, better than in December 2012, when 83 percent believed the same thing. However, in the case of unemployment, things got worse, according to GfK. The pessimists’ average stood at two thirds of the population in 2013, compared to some 63 percent in 2012. In terms of savings, 20 percent of the respondents say this is a good period to save money. However, at the same time, almost 60 percent say that their income barely cover current expenses. The percentage of those who say they have debts stood still at 19 percent in December 2013, shows GfK’s Consumer Confidence Barometer. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: Sxc.hu)