The consumer confidence index rose from -39 in June to -35 in the Netherlands in July, a modest improvement despite remaining below the long-term average, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
This marked the second consecutive monthly improvement in consumer confidence, following a sharp decline earlier in the year.
‘Consumer confidence in July 2026 remains lower than the average score over the last twenty years of -11,’ it noted. ‘The highest reading since records began was +36 in January 2000, while the lowest reading was -59, recorded in both September and October 2022.’
‘Less negative’
As Statistics Netherlands noted, the improvement in July was primarily driven by a slightly more optimistic assessment of the Dutch economy in July, with the economic sentiment index rising from -64 to -59.
‘Respondents were less negative about both the economic outlook for the next twelve months and the economic situation over the past twelve months,’ the statistics body said.
Willingness to spend
Consumers were also slightly more willing to spend, with the willingness-to-buy indicator improving from -22 in June to -19 in July.
Elsewhere, consumers were less negative about their financial outlook for the next 12 months, with this measure improving from -6 to -2. Views on personal financial circumstances over the previous year also strengthened slightly, while attitudes towards major purchases became less pessimistic, rising from -44 to -40.
CBS measures consumer confidence through monthly surveys that assess views on the economy, personal finances and the willingness to make major purchases. The index ranges from -100, where all responses are negative, to +100, where all responses are positive. Read more here.
