The Netherlands, explained in English · Tuesday 20 October 2026Tue 20 Oct

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Economy

Dutch investment rises 1.8% on a year earlier in August

The volume of investment in tangible fixed assets was 1.8% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, after growth of 0.2% in July, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported.

Investment was higher in August than a year earlier mainly in machinery, including defence equipment, in computers and in buildings, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) said.

The figures are not adjusted for working days. August 2026 had the same number of working days as August 2025.

Investment has risen on a year earlier for three months running

% change on a year earlier · Mar 2024–Aug 2026

Mar 2024-6.5Apr 2024+8.4May 2024-3.6Jun 2024-8.1Jul 2024+0.4Aug 2024-1.6Sep 2024+2.9Oct 2024+6.7Nov 2024+3.2Dec 2024+15.1Jan 2025+1.5Feb 2025-1.0Mar 2025+1.6Apr 2025+0.6May 2025-1.2Jun 2025+10.0Jul 2025-2.4Aug 2025-1.7Sep 2025+3.4Oct 2025+0.1Nov 2025-4.0Dec 2025-2.5Jan 2026+0.4Feb 2026+1.5Mar 2026+2.4Apr 2026-2.0May 2026-2.4Jun 2026+2.9Jul 2026+0.2Aug 2026+1.8

Investment has risen on a year earlier for three months running (% change on a year earlier). From -6.5 in Mar 2024 to 1.8 in Aug 2026; highest 15.1 in Dec 2024, lowest -8.1 in Jun 2024. Source: CBS.

View data
Data: Investment has risen on a year earlier for three months running
Item% change on a year earlier
Mar 2024-6.5
Apr 20248.4
May 2024-3.6
Jun 2024-8.1
Jul 20240.4
Aug 2024-1.6
Sep 20242.9
Oct 20246.7
Nov 20243.2
Dec 202415.1
Jan 20251.5
Feb 2025-1
Mar 20251.6
Apr 20250.6
May 2025-1.2
Jun 202510
Jul 2025-2.4
Aug 2025-1.7
Sep 20253.4
Oct 20250.1
Nov 2025-4
Dec 2025-2.5
Jan 20260.4
Feb 20261.5
Mar 20262.4
Apr 2026-2
May 2026-2.4
Jun 20262.9
Jul 20260.2
Aug 20261.8
Source: CBS | NLnow graphic

Conditions for investment in September were as unfavourable as in August, CBS said. The year-on-year rise in goods exports was smaller, but producers rated their order positions less negatively and consumer confidence was less negative.

CBS notes that an improvement in conditions does not necessarily mean stronger growth or a smaller decline in investment.