Dutch businesses expect to invest more in their operations in 2026 compared to this year, despite profitability declining in the third quarter, a new study has found.
According to the Netherlands Business Survey, which was compiled by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK), the Economic Institute for Construction and Housing (EIB), the Dutch Organisation for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MKB-Nederland) and the Dutch Employers’ Organisation (VNO-NCW), business confidence in the Netherlands remains negative overall.
Increased investment
In terms of the business sectors in which investment is most likely next year, some 25% of real estate firms expect to invest more in their businesses in 2026, more than any other sector.
In the car trade and repairs sector, 11.9% of firms are expecting greater investment in 2026, a similar percentage as in transportation and storage (11.9%), however in the latter category, investment expectations have fallen year-on-year.
In culture, sports and recreation (9.6%) and retail (5.7%), businesses expect to invest more last year, whereas last year, they expected a decrease in investment.
Overall, businesses in nine sectors expect to invest more, with three expecting to invest less – information and communication, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and accommodation and food services.
Profitability
In terms of business profitability in the third quarter, more businesses reported lower than higher profitability in the quarter, resulting in a net balance of –4.4 percent. In eight of the 12 business sectors, profitability expectations were more negative than positive.
‘The net figure is almost the same as last year, because businesses in the construction sector are more positive about profitability,’ Statistics Netherlands said. ‘Other than that, sentiment has only improved somewhat in the wholesale trade, manufacturing and real estate sectors.’
Business confidence
Elsewhere, business confidence currently stands at -4.0, similar to the previous quarter – however firms reported more negative views of the previous quarter than their expectations for the next one.
‘Business confidence has been consistently negative since early 2022, and currently stands at around the average level since 2012 (-4.0),’ Statistics Netherlands said.
Labour shortages remain the most reported challenge for Dutch businesses at present, cited by 33% of respondents. Weak demand is the next most-cited issue, at 22%, while 10% report financial constraints. Read more here.
