Economy

New car sales in the Netherlands declined during the first nine months of the year, but a strong September performance suggests buyers are moving quickly before new tax measures take effect in 2027.

Museum attendance in the Netherlands continued its strong recovery last year, driven by international tourists, younger visitors, and record use of the Museum Card.

Rising US Treasury yields pushed Wall Street indexes lower on Monday, hitting major technology firms hardest. Concerns over persistent inflation and falling oil prices added to market pressure, despite gains for chipmaker Nvidia following a new software release. Investors remain cautious as high interest rates continue to increase borrowing costs across the economy.

The AEX index closed 0.5 per cent higher at 1,112.09 points on Friday, buoyed by a dip in crude prices that improved broader sentiment on the Damrak. Energy stocks bucked the upward trend following reports of diplomatic proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Shell slipping 0.9 per cent and SBM Offshore falling 1.9 per cent as Brent crude eased to $106.12 a barrel. Mid-cap shares lagged the main index with the MidKap dropping 0.3 per cent, mirroring a mixed session across major European bourses.

Tourist spending in the Netherlands climbed to nearly €118 billion last year—a €6 billion increase on 2024—driven primarily by an influx of foreign visitors whose expenditure jumped by over 7 per cent in real terms to €42 billion, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). While domestic travellers generated the bulk of total revenue at €70 billion, real domestic growth remained subdued at under 1 per cent. Meanwhile, tourism workforce levels saw modest overall recovery to represent 5.4 per cent of national employment, though head counts in the hospitality sector dipped slightly and total industry employment remains below pre-pandemic benchmarks.

The recommended price of petrol in the Netherlands reached a new record high of €2.727 per litre on Friday, driven by Middle East tension and surging oil markets. While diesel eased slightly to €2.794 per litre, analysts warn EU prices could face further strain if the US introduces a reported diesel export ban. Meanwhile, Germany’s decision to launch a 17-cent fuel subsidy threatens to trigger new cross-border losses for Dutch petrol station owners near the border.

Extreme heatwaves across Europe are expected to cost the region €113 billion this year, with Italy, Germany, and France suffering the biggest economic losses due to reduced productivity and workplace disruptions.

Dutch security agencies are warning that artificial intelligence is helping cybercriminals launch faster, more effective cyberattacks. In an open letter, the AIVD, MIVD, police, and other authorities urged organizations to strengthen cybersecurity, improve employee awareness, and prepare for growing AI-driven threats.