Dutch Household Spending Growth Slows

Household consumption in the Netherlands stalled year-on-year in January 2026, following a 0.8% rise in the previous month. Spending growth for household goods softened to a fifteen-month low (0.1% vs 0.4% in December), mainly due to weaker purchases of durable goods (-1.4% vs 0.4%), as households primarily bought fewer cars, home furnishings, and clothing. Consumers spent more on food, beverages and tobacco (0.4% vs 2.1%), as well as on other goods such as energy and personal care items (2.1% vs -1.8%). Meanwhile, households purchased the same amount of services compared to last year (0% vs 1.2%), as they spent more on transport and communication but less on recreation and culture. Services account for more than half of total household consumption. Still, the February Consumption Conditions indicator was less unfavorable than in January, reflecting more optimistic employment expectations among industrial firms and stronger year-on-year gains in stock prices.

Household consumption in the Netherlands rose 0.8% year-on-year in December 2025, easing slightly from an upwardly revised 0.9% increase in November and marking the slowest growth in three months. Spending growth softened for household goods (0.4% vs 1.4%), reflecting weaker purchases of food, beverages, and tobacco (2.1% vs 2.6%) as well as durable goods (0.4% vs 1.9%), while consumption of other goods remained in decline (-1.8% vs -1.2%). In contrast, services spending strengthened to 1.2% from 0.6%, driven by higher outlays on transport and communication, healthcare, hospitality, recreation, and culture. Services account for more than half of total household consumption. Meanwhile, the January Consumption Conditions indicator deteriorated from December, as employment growth slowed and consumers became less optimistic about their financial outlook for the year ahead, pointing to softer momentum in household demand.

Household consumption in the Netherlands rose 0.5% year-on-year in November 2025, easing from an upwardly revised 0.9% gain in the previous month and marking the weakest growth since April. Durable goods spending moderated (1.4% vs 2.3% in October), supported mainly by footwear, appliances, and clothing, while overall goods consumption was subdued (0.1% vs 1.0%). Outlays on other goods, such as energy and motor fuels, dropped sharply (-3.4% vs 0.5%). In contrast, services, which account for over half of household spending, maintained steady growth (at 0.9%), led by transport, communication, and medical services. Food, beverages, and tobacco rebounded (1.1% vs -0.3%). Meanwhile, the December Consumption Radar signaled worsening conditions, with consumers more pessimistic about unemployment and less confident in their financial outlook for the year ahead. The employed labour force and share price growth also slowed, underscoring softer momentum in household demand.