German consumer sentiment showed a decline heading into July 2025. According to the GfK survey, the confidence index dropped to -20.3 points, missing analysts' forecast of -19.1. A reading below zero signals weaker private consumption compared to the same period last year.
Researchers attribute the decline primarily to rising propensity to save. The "willingness to save" indicator climbed to 13.9 points, marking a 3.9 point increase. Analysts link this growth to persistent uncertainty in household expectations, driven by the unpredictable situation in international trade.
Despite the overall index decline, Germans' economic outlook surged to 20.1 points, hitting a multi-year-high, as 500 billion euros ($364.6 billion) in anticipated government stimulus boosted optimism.