Investments over 10 percent up in May

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Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the volume of investments in tangible fixed assets rose by 10.3 percent year-on-year in May 2021. The increase was slightly larger than in the previous month. There were mainly more investments in dwellings and buildings, passenger cars and machinery. Compared to May 2019, investments were still almost 10 percent lower.

Investment data have not been adjusted for calendar effects. May 2021 has the same number of working days as May 2020. According to the CBS Investment Radar, the circumstances for investments in the Netherlands are more favourable in July than they were in May.

Investments in tangible fixed assets (volume)
YearMonthchange (year-on-year % change)
2017June-4.3
2017July6.7
2017August3.2
2017September10.1
2017October6.3
2017November6.9
2017December4.7
2018January14.1
2018February2.5
2018March6.2
2018April11
2018May3.2
2018June7.5
2018July4.6
2018August6
2018September-6.8
2018October7.6
2018November5.5
2018December-5
2019January6.6
2019February7.5
2019March0.7
2019April8.2
2019May10.7
2019June0.2
2019July5
2019August17.7
2019September8
2019October4.7
2019November3.7
2019December8.5
2020January 1.6
2020February2.6
2020March1.9
2020April-10.6
2020May-18.3
2020June-4.3
2020July-3
2020August-19.6
2020September-3.6
2020October-5.7
2020November-3.2
2020December-0.2
2021January-4
2021February-7.6
2021March9.6
2021April9.1
2021May10.3

Investment climate in July more favourable than in May

Every month, CBS publishes updates on the investment climate in the CBS Investment Radar. Relevant circumstances for the investment climate include, for example, the situation on the sales markets and the financial markets. Although the radar indicators show a strong correlation with the investments in fixed assets, improved circumstances do not necessarily translate into an increased growth rate or less investment decline.

According to the CBS Investment Radar, the investment climate in the Netherlands is more favourable in July than it was in May. This is mainly due to the fact that the year-on-year export growth was higher than in May’s radar. Furthermore, manufacturers were more positive about their order positions.

The figures in this publication are provisional and may be revised upwards or downwards.