Dutch economy grows 0.4 percent in third quarter of 2025

All figures cited in this report are volume figures, which means that they have been adjusted for price changes.

Public consumption and exports are rising the fastest

Exports of goods and services rose by 0.8 percent over Q2 2025. Exports of petroleum products, plastics, metals, and machinery were up, in particular. Imports of goods and services rose by less than exports, at 0.2 percent. This resulted in a larger trade surplus.

Public consumption rose by 1.1 percent in Q3 2025, compared with Q2 2025. The government spent more on care and on wages and salaries, among other things. Household consumption rose by 0.3 percent in Q3 2025 compared to the previous quarter. Households spent more on energy, transport and clothes. However, investment in fixed assets fell by 1.6 percent, compared with the previous quarter. Companies and the government spent less on transport equipment, in particular.

Trade, accommodation and food services, transportation and storage and the public sector contributed the most to growth

In Q3 2025, value added (the difference between the production and consumption of energy, materials and services) grew in most sectors. Value added increased by the most in the energy sector, at 3.2 percent. Although value added in the trade, accommodation and food services, transportation and storage sector and in the public sector grew less strongly at 0.7 and 0.6 percent respectively, these sectors made the largest contribution to economic growth due to their size. On the other hand, value added in business services and in mining and quarrying declined, which depressed growth.

Economy 1.6 percent larger, year on year

Year on year, the GDP of the Netherlands grew by 1.6 percent in Q3 2025. Public consumption and household consumption contributed the most to this growth. Public consumption was 3.0 percent higher, and household consumption was 1.3 percent higher. However, investments were 0.2 percent lower in Q3, year on year. Exports were up by 1.6 percent, while imports rose by 1.7 percent. However, the trade balance still grew slightly because the total volume of exports is greater than that of imports.

Looking at the sector-specific figures, the public sector and trade, accommodation and food services, transportation and storage sectors contributed the most to economic growth compared to Q3 2024.

First estimate

The first estimate is published 30 days after the end of a quarter and is based on the information available at that point in time. It provides an initial picture of the state of the Dutch economy. After the first estimate, new data continues to be collected and is used to make new calculations. The second estimate of economic growth in Q4 2024 will be released on Wednesday 24 December.

On average, over the five-year period of 2020-2024, the difference between the final estimate and the first estimate was 0.1 percentage points in absolute terms, with the two extremes ranging between -0.4 and 0.7 percentage point, in 2024 and 2021 respectively.

With each new estimate, CBS also determines the new seasonally adjusted figures for previously published quarters. This may lead to adjustments to growth figures from previous quarters. For example, the growth figure for Q3 2025 has been adjusted from 0.2 to 0.3 percent. The two preceding quarters have not been adjusted.