Business Survey Netherlands (COEN)

The Business Survey Netherlands (COEN) presents the mood among Dutch entrepreneurs. Every month, entrepreneurs complete a survey about the developments in recent months and the expectations for the coming months. The survey includes topics such as turnover, production, capacity utilization, orders, price developments, inventories, staff size and investments. In some cases, the survey also includes additional questions responding to recent economic developments in the Netherlands and the world.

This survey is carried out monthly on behalf of the European Commission. Once every quarter, the survey is more comprehensive and sent out to a higher number of entrepreneurs, resulting in more detailed information. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) conducts the quarterly survey in collaboration with MKB Nederland (Small & Medium Sized Enterprises the Netherlands), VNO-NCW (Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers), the EIB (Economic Institute for the Construction Industry) and the KVK. 

Filling in the survey

Did you receive a letter or email asking you to provide data for this survey? Log in with the username (gebruikersnaam) and password (wachtwoord) stated in the letter or email to enter the secure link https://antwoord.cbs.nl and fill in the survey.

Lost your login details? Request login details (only Dutch).

Why am I seeing an old version of the SBI (SBI-2008) in the business survey?

We compile our statistics for everyone in the Netherlands who wants to make decisions based on data. In order to make informed decisions, it is essential that statistics are comparable. The Business Survey Netherlands (COEN) is compiled in this way as part of our cooperation with the European Union Member States. All other countries also have their own coordinated programme (1). It is therefore desirable that all partner institutions involved in the European survey use the same method as much as possible when compiling their statistics. The introduction of a new business classification (2) must therefore also take place simultaneously for all versions of the survey. That is why we are still sending out the Business Survey Netherlands (COEN) based on the SBI-2008, and we will continue to do so until early 2028. Other surveys conducted by Statistics Netherlands are part of different partnerships and may therefore switch over sooner.

  1. Results from other countries can be found here: https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-forecast-and-surveys/business-and-consumer-surveys_en
  2. Information about the implementation of the Standard Industrial Classification (SBI) 2025 can be found here: https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/our-services/methods/classifications/activiteiten/standard-industrial-classifications

Privacy

The statistical overviews by Statistics Netherlands are compiled in such a way that no data can be traced back to individuals, companies or institutions. The data you submit will only be used to compile statistics.

Find out more about how Statistics Netherlands handles data by visiting these webpages:

 

Research results

The COEN report containing the Business confidence is published every quarter on Ondernemersplein (only available in Dutch). In addition, Statistics Netherlands publishes the Producer confidence in manufacturing, for the business community based on the Business survey figures. Keep an eye on the publication schedule for this.

The results of additional questions and investment questions (March and November) are published on the following pages (only available in Dutch):

Statistics Netherlands publishes the Business confidence from 15 August 2023 according to a new method. The figures have been put back to January 2012. More information about this can be found at. CBS switches to new method for measuring business confidence.

Results of this survey can also be found in the StatLine tables below:

More information and contact

For further information, please visit the frequently asked questions page. Did not find what you were looking for? Find our contact details here.