Dutch Consumer Morale Improves in June

Consumer confidence in the Netherlands rose to -39 in June 2026 from -46 in May, though sentiment remained deeply negative and well below its long-term average of -11. The improvement was attributed to less pessimistic assessments of the economic climate, which rose to -64 from -72. Willingness to buy also strengthened to -22 from -28. Views on the economic situation over the past 12 months likewise improved to -69 from -75, while expectations for the next 12 months became less negative at -60 from -69. Households’ financial situation showed further improvement, with the assessment of the past 12 months rising to -16 from -22 and expectations for the year ahead improving sharply to -6 from -17. However, perceptions of the timing for major purchases were broadly stable at -44 versus -45 in May.

Consumer confidence in the Netherlands fell further to -46 in May 2026 from -44 in April, marking the weakest reading since January 2023 and well below its long-term average of -11. The deterioration was mainly driven by a drop in willingness to buy, which slipped to -28 from -26. Perceptions of the economic situation over the past 12 months also worsened to -75 from -72, while expectations for the next 12 months improved slightly to -69 from -71. Households’ view of the broader economic climate remained broadly unchanged at -72, still deeply negative and reflecting persistently pessimistic sentiment about both current conditions and the outlook. Financial sentiment weakened further, with assessments of the past 12 months falling to -22 from -18 and expectations for the coming year edging down to -17 from -15. Willingness to make large purchases also deteriorated to -45 from -43, underscoring continued caution among consumers.

Consumer confidence in the Netherlands fell sharply to -44 in April 2026 from -30 in March, marking the lowest reading since February 2023 and the second-largest monthly decline since records began in 1986. Households’ assessment of the economic climate deteriorated significantly, with the index plunging to -72 from -54, reflecting markedly more pessimistic views of both current conditions and the outlook for the coming year. Perceptions of the economic situation over the past twelve months and expectations for the next twelve months both weakened further, contributing to the broad-based decline in sentiment. Willingness to buy also dropped sharply to -26 from -15, its steepest fall since April 2020, indicating a stronger reluctance among households to make large purchases. Views on personal financial conditions deteriorated as well, with consumers becoming more negative about both their financial situation over the past year and their expectations for the year ahead.