The Netherlands, explained in English · Thursday 22 October 2026Thu 22 Oct

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Economy

Dutch consumer confidence falls to -34 in October

Consumer confidence fell one point to -34 in October, staying far below the twenty-year average of -12, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports.

Consumer confidence in the Netherlands fell from -33 in September to -34 in October 2026, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Consumers' view of the economy and their willingness to buy were both slightly more negative.

The October reading is below the average of -12 over the last twenty years. The highest reading since measurement began was +36 in January 2000. The lowest, -59, was recorded in September and October 2022. The scale runs from -100, when everyone answers negatively, to +100, when everyone answers positively.

Confidence fell from -30 to -44 in April 2026 and remains low

Balance · May 2024–Oct 2026

-50-40-30-20May 2024: -22Jun 2024: -23Jul 2024: -24Aug 2024: -24Sep 2024: -21Oct 2024: -22Nov 2024: -25Dec 2024: -26Jan 2025: -28Feb 2025: -32Mar 2025: -34Apr 2025: -37May 2025: -37Jun 2025: -36Jul 2025: -32Aug 2025: -32Sep 2025: -32Oct 2025: -27Nov 2025: -21Dec 2025: -21Jan 2026: -23Feb 2026: -24Mar 2026: -30Apr 2026: -44May 2026: -46Jun 2026: -39Jul 2026: -35Aug 2026: -34Sep 2026: -33Oct 2026: -34-21-46May 2024Oct 2024Mar 2025Aug 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026Oct 2026-34

Confidence fell from -30 to -44 in April 2026 and remains low (balance). From -22 in May 2024 to -34 in Oct 2026; highest -21 in Sep 2024, lowest -46 in May 2026. Source: CBS.

View data
Data: Confidence fell from -30 to -44 in April 2026 and remains low
ItemBalance
May 2024-22
Jun 2024-23
Jul 2024-24
Aug 2024-24
Sep 2024-21
Oct 2024-22
Nov 2024-25
Dec 2024-26
Jan 2025-28
Feb 2025-32
Mar 2025-34
Apr 2025-37
May 2025-37
Jun 2025-36
Jul 2025-32
Aug 2025-32
Sep 2025-32
Oct 2025-27
Nov 2025-21
Dec 2025-21
Jan 2026-23
Feb 2026-24
Mar 2026-30
Apr 2026-44
May 2026-46
Jun 2026-39
Jul 2026-35
Aug 2026-34
Sep 2026-33
Oct 2026-34
Source: CBS | NLnow graphic

Economy and spending

The economic climate sub-indicator fell from -58 to -59. People's view of the economy over the next twelve months is unchanged, while their view of the past twelve months is more negative.

Willingness to buy fell from -17 to -18. Consumers see their own financial situation over the past and coming twelve months more negatively. They do, however, see the moment for big purchases such as furniture or electronics as slightly more favourable than in September.

Views of own finances over the past year worsened most

Balance

Sep 2026Oct 2026-65-67 Economy, past 12 months-50-50 Economy, next 12 months-16-19 Own finances, past 12 mo…0-2 Own finances, next 12 mon…-35-34 Good time for big purcha…

Views of own finances over the past year worsened most (balance). Highest: Own finances, next 12 months, 0; lowest: Economy, past 12 months, -65; 5 items. Source: CBS.

View data
Data: Views of own finances over the past year worsened most
ItemSep 2026Oct 2026
Economy, past 12 months-65-67
Economy, next 12 months-50-50
Own finances, past 12 months-16-19
Own finances, next 12 months0-2
Good time for big purchases-35-34
Source: CBS | NLnow graphic