Consumer confidence continues to decline

The sentiment among consumers in the Netherlands in May has deteriorated further, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Consumer confidence stood at -46 in May, down from -44 in April. That is because consumers’ willingness to buy has decreased.

With a headline figure of -46, the consumer confidence indicator for May is positioned well below its long-term average for the previous twenty years (-11). The indicator reached its all-time high (36) in January 2000, while the all-time low (-59) was in September and October 2022. Consumer confidence is assessed using five questions about the economic climate and the personal financial outlook, where the balance of positive and negative responses is taken from each question. If all consumers are positive, the balance is 100. If all consumers are negative, the balance is -100.

Consumers equally negative about the economic climate

Consumers were equally negative about the economy in May as they were in April. This component of the indicator remained at -72. In May 2026, consumers were less negative about the economic outlook for the next twelve months, but more negative about the economic situation over the past twelve months.

Willingness to buy deteriorates further

In May, willingness to buy was -28, down from -26 in April. Consumers were more negative about both their financial outlook for the next twelve months and their personal financial outlook over the previous twelve months. Consumers were also more negative about making large purchases in May than they were in April.