Consultancy GfK NOP said its barometer of consumer sentiment fell to -9 in December after a reading of -8 in November. That was the lowest point since March 2003 and confounded analysts' predictions of a rise to -6.
The sub-indices measuring both people's perceptions of their own finances and that of the general economic situation over the next 12 months fell a point to +7 and -20 respectively.
The index measuring whether it is a good time to make major purchases, meanwhile, fell 3 points to +5. But some economists said signs of renewed life in the housing market may lead to a pick-up in 2006.