Florida consumer sentiment edged higher in December, but confidence among households remained well below levels seen at the start of the year, according to a report released Tuesday by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
The Florida Consumer Sentiment Index rose 2.4 points in December to 74.9, up from 72.5 in November, marking a modest rebound at year’s end. Even so, sentiment finished nearly 12 points lower than in January, reflecting a broad decline over the course of 2025.
UF economists said gains in confidence following the November 2024 presidential election were erased by year-end, leaving sentiment near levels observed before the election, while the report pointed to heightened uncertainty tied to major policy changes under the new administration, particularly surrounding trade policy, as well as federal workforce reductions and persistent inflationary pressures.
“These trends are not surprising given the significant policy changes introduced by the new administration, which added uncertainty for economic agents, particularly with respect to trade policy,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “Other relevant developments included reductions in the federal workforce, the longest federal government shutdown of the year, which affected federal data collection.”
At the same time, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times during the year, lowering borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, though those moves were not enough to reverse the broader decline in confidence.
Among the five components of the index, four improved in December. Floridians reported stronger views of their current personal financial situation, with that measure rising 3.9 points to 68.7. However, opinions on whether it is a good time to buy major household items such as appliances or furniture slipped slightly, declining four-tenths of a point to 62.0.
Expectations about the future economy also strengthened. Anticipated personal finances one year from now increased 3.2 points to 89.1, while expectations for U.S. economic conditions over the next year rose 1.1 points to 76.6. Longer-term expectations for national economic conditions over the next five years climbed 3.9 points to 77.9, one of the largest monthly gains among index components.
Despite the overall improvement, confidence varied widely across demographic groups. Women, Floridians under age 60, and those earning less than $50,000 annually consistently expressed more pessimistic views, while higher-income respondents reported substantially stronger sentiment.
The survey was conducted from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19 and reflects responses from 251 Florida residents reached by cellphone. Beginning with December releases, the index is based exclusively on telephone survey data following a methodology change.
