BERLIN, Nov 28 Reuters German consumer sentiment improved slightly heading into the Christmas month but remained at a very low level with no signs of sustainable recovery in Europe39;s biggest economy, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The consumer sentiment index rose by 0.5 points to 27.8 points heading into December from a revised 28.3 the month before and above expectations of analysts polled by Reuters for a 27.9 reading.

An improved willingness to buy and less appetite to save pushed the index, published jointly by the GfK institute and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions NIM, slightly upwards.

After three consecutive months of decline, consumer sentiment is stabilising as the year draws to a close, said Rolf Buerkl, consumption expert at NIM.

The mood is still characterised by uncertainty and concern.

DEC 2023

NOV 2023

DEC 2022

Consumer climate

27.8

28.3

40.1

Consumer climate components

NOV 2023

OCT 2023

NOV 2022

willingness to buy

15.0

16.3

18.6

income expectations

16.7

15.3

54.3

business cycle expectations

2.3

2.4

17.9

NOTE The survey period was from Nov. 213, 2023.

The consumer climate indicator forecasts the progress of real private…