In May, the consumer confidence indicator recovered partially, registering the highest increase in the series, after recording in April the greatest reduction compared to the previous month and the minimum value since May 2013.
The economic climate indicator increased slightly in May after reaching a new minimum of the series in the previous month. The confidence indicators increased moderately in Construction and Public Works and in Trade, and decreased again in Manufacturing Industry and in Services, extending the abrupt reductions recorded in April and reaching new minimums. It should be noticed that in Services, “Accommodation and food service activities” and “Arts, entertainment and recreation” stand out by presenting the lowest levels for the confidence indicators.

Despite the circumstances determined by the pandemic COVID 19, Statistics Portugal will try to maintain the statistical production and release calendar, although some adjustments might occur associated with the impact of the pandemic in obtaining primary information. For this reason, Statistics Portugal asks for the best collaboration by firms, households and public entities in answering to Statistics Portugal‘s requests to obtain information, using Internet and telephone as alternative channels to face-to-face contacts. In fact, the quality of official statistics, particularly its ability to identify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, depends crucially on this collaboration that Statistics Portugal is grateful for in advance.