Consumers a little less negative in August

There has been a slight improvement in sentiment among consumers in the Netherlands in August 2026, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) can report. Consumer confidence moved from -35 in July to -34 in August. Sentiment on the economy saw an improvement, but there was no change in willingness to buy.

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 August 2026 remains lower than the average score over the last twenty years of -12. 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 a little less negative about the economy in general in August than they were in July. This component of the indicator rose from -59 to -57. Respondents were less negative about both the economic outlook for the next twelve months and the economic situation over the past twelve months.

No change in willingness to buy

Willingness to buy was -19 in August, just as it was in July. Consumers were more negative about their financial outlook for the next twelve months and also about their personal financial situation over the previous twelve months. However, they were also slightly more positive about making large purchases in August than they were in July.