Statistics Estonia starts monitoring consumers’ and enterprises’ economic confidence: each response matters

The monthly surveys allow the regular assessment of current economic tendencies and are also used for forecasting. “Among other things, the economic sentiment surveys reveal whether Estonian households are able to save money or whether they can afford to make major purchases. The business surveys show how enterprises in the construction, industry, trade and services sectors are doing, and which factors influence their performance,” explained Kaire Raasik, Head of the Economic and Environmental Statistics Department at Statistics Estonia.

The data collected with the business and consumer surveys are used, for example, in the planning of fiscal and tax policies and in the assessment of social policies and measures. The survey data help enterprises to forecast demand and to plan their sales, pricing and marketing strategies. The consumer survey data are used by banks to assess consumers’ willingness to borrow and their savings and investment behaviour.

The surveys are carried out in all European Union countries

“Economic sentiment surveys have been carried out in Europe since the early 1960s. The surveys are commissioned by the European Commission. The partner institute that conducts the surveys nationally is selected by the Commission based on proposals submitted. So far, the Estonian Institute of Economic Research has been appointed by the European Commission as the organiser of the surveys in Estonia. There was a new call for proposals last autumn, and the European Commission selected Statistics Estonia as the partner institute starting from May 2026,” said Raasik. She added that there are many other European Union countries where these surveys are carried out by the national statistical institute. The current contract provides Statistics Estonia with financing until 30 April 2027.

Each respondent matters

For both the consumer survey and the business surveys, each response matters, as this allows the production of high-quality statistics for an informed overview of the state of the Estonian economy. “As with all surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia, the respondents are chosen randomly based on state registers. This ensures that the results reflect the population as accurately as possible. In other words, each specific respondent represents not only themselves but also several other individuals or entities. So, each response carries significant weight,” explained Raasik. The surveys also allow comparing the economic situation in Estonia with that of other European Union countries.

Invitations to participate in the economic sentiment survey are sent to 4,000 individuals and 1,450 enterprises. The survey can be completed online. In the first three months (May, June and July), consumer survey data are also collected by phone. The phone interview sample includes 2,000 persons.

More information about the economic sentiment surveys is available on our website:

• Consumer Survey
• Business Survey

The project is co-funded from the programme BCS-2025-FPA & BCS-2025-SGA – Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys.

For further information:

Annaliisa Köss
Media Relations Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee (press[at]stat[dot]ee)

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