Economic growth of 0.2 percent in Q1 2026

According to the second estimate conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.2 percent in Q1 2026 relative to Q4 2025. According to the first estimate published on 30 April, growth was 0.1 percent. The second GDP estimate is published around 85 days after the end of each quarter.

Economic growth was 0.1 percentage points higher than in the first estimate. This is mainly because the decline in exports was smaller and the rise in household consumption was greater. As a result, the economic picture has changed somewhat. The increase in GDP in the first quarter of 2026 is mainly attributable to public consumption, household consumption and investments.

Second estimate

The second estimate is compiled 85 days after the end of the quarter. The first estimate is calculated 30 days after the end of the quarter, and is based on the most recent data available at that point. Following the first estimate, new information about the state of the Dutch economy continues to pour in, including data on the construction sector, business services, accommodation and food services, the public sector, health and well-being and the financial services sector. These data are added and new calculations are performed.

On average, over the five-year period of 2021-2025, the difference between the final estimate and the first estimate was 0.2 percentage points in absolute terms, but ranged between -0.4 and 0.7 percentage points, in 2024 and 2021 respectively.

Quarter-on-quarter growth adjustment

With each new estimate, CBS also recalculates the seasonally adjusted series for previously published quarters. For example, the quarter-on-quarter GDP growth rate for Q1 2025 has been adjusted from 0,4 percent to 0.2 percent, for Q2 2025 from 0.3 percent to 0.4 percent and for Q3 2025 from 0.5 to 0.4 percent. Growth in Q4 2025 remained unchanged.

Growth compared to Q1 2025

GDP grew by 1.4 percent in Q1 2026, year on year. According to the first estimate, growth was 1.2 percent. The upward adjustment is mainly due to the fact that the trade balance (exports – imports) was adjusted upwards. The overall picture has also changed somewhat. Public consumption contributed the most to growth. The contributions of investments and household consumption were also positive.

Annual figures

The revised annual figures over 2024 (final) and 2025 (provisional) are published at the same time as the second estimate over Q1 2026. The economic growth rate for 2025 has been adjusted from 1.8 to 1.6 percent on the basis of the most recent data. Economic growth in 2024 has been set at 1.1 percent.

Number of jobs rose by 26 thousand

The second estimate shows that the number of people in employment or self-employment increased by 26 thousand in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. According to the first estimate, the increase was 2 thousand jobs.The second estimate for Q1 2026 shows a year-on-year increase in the number of people in employment or self-employment of 2 thousand. That was a decrease of 21 thousand according to the first estimate.

Job figures are adjusted when additional information becomes available.