The November version of the poll, which is a cooperative effort between the Norwegian Savings Banks Association, the magazine Økonomisk Rapport (Economic Report) and TNS Gallup, shows high, but weakening, economic optimism in Norway.
Reduced faith in the prospects of the national economy as a whole seems to be the main factor.
"The most important factor in the lower optimism is the interest rate hikes from the central bank. Expectations have also been created for further rate hikes in the future. As expected this has had a psychological effect," said Arne Hyttnes, managing director of the Norwegian Savings Banks Association.
The poll was taken the week that the new Labor-led left-center government revealed its national budget."There were no dramatic changes, but before it was announced there were signals of a change of course in economic policy and this can have created a certain amount of uncertainty in certain groups and contributed to dampening enthusiasm," Hyttnes said.
Knut B. Steen, editor-in-chief of Økonomisk Rapport said that there was no sign yet that the new government's economic policies were something to fear. But he warned that if the pessimism led to people spending less, it could contribute to stifling Norway's economic growth.
