Sentiment among consumers less negative in July

• Consumer confidence has improved, from -39 in June to -35 in July.
• Sentiment on the economy is less negative. 
• Willingness to buy also increased again.

There has been an improvement in sentiment among consumers in the Netherlands in July 2026, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) can report. Consumer confidence moved from -39 in June to -35 in July. Sentiment on the economy saw a particular improvement, but willingness to buy also edged higher.

Every month, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) asks people in the Netherlands their views on the economy in general, their own financial situation, and whether they believe it is a good time to make major purchases. Together, the responses to these questions provide an indication of consumer confidence. This can range between -100 (meaning that all the responses were negative) to +100 (all responses were positive).

Consumer confidence in July 2026 remains lower than the average score over the last twenty years of -11. The highest reading since records began was +36 in January 2000, while the lowest reading was -59, recorded in both September and October 2022.

Consumers less negative about the economic climate

Consumers were less negative about the economy in general in July than they were in June. This component of the indicator rose from -64 to -59. Respondents were less negative about both the economic outlook for the next twelve months and the economic situation over the past twelve months.

Willingness to buy also rose again

Willingness to buy was -19 in July, up from -22 in June. In July consumers were less negative about their financial outlook for the next twelve months, but they were also less negative about their personal financial situation over the previous twelve months. Consumers were also slightly less negative about making large purchases in July than they were in June.