Consumer confidence in the Netherlands reported its second-largest drop on record in April 2026, falling to -44, from -30 the previous month, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
CBS has been tracking consumer confidence levels in the Netherlands since 1986, with only April 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing a larger month-on-month decline.
The April 2026 figure is well below the long-term average of -11 observed over the past two decades. The lowest historical reading was -59, reached in September and October 2022.
‘Consumers were significantly more negative about the economy in April than they were in March,’ CBS noted.
Tracking consumer confidence
CBS bases consumer confidence on a monthly survey that combines responses to five questions covering economic expectations and household financial situations. The resulting balance can range from +100, if all responses are positive, to -100, if all responses are negative.
The overall decline in April was driven by weaker assessments of both the general economic situation and personal financial conditions. The component measuring perceptions of the economic climate fell from -54 in March to -72 in April. This reflects increased pessimism about both recent economic performance and expectations for the coming year.
Willingness to buy
Willingness to buy also decreased significantly, falling from -15 to -26. This measure captures consumer views on their financial position and their readiness to make large purchases.
‘Consumers were both more negative about their financial outlook for the next twelve months and their personal financial outlook over the previous twelve months,’ CBS noted. ‘Consumers were also significantly more negative about making large purchases in April than they were in March.’
The statistics body also reported that consumer confidence has fluctuated over recent years. After improvements through parts of 2023 and early 2024, sentiment weakened again during 2025 and declined further in early 2026. The April 2026 drop marked a continuation of this downward trend. Read more here.
