Economy

A new CPB study finds that rising energy and fuel costs from the Middle East conflict have only a small effect on disposable incomes for most households, though lower‑income and high‑consumption households face larger losses.

The Sociale Verzekeringsbank has urged the Dutch parliament to simplify the personal healthcare budget system to protect vulnerable citizens from overwhelming bureaucracy. Current regulations classify 14,000 budget holders as formal employers, forcing them to manage complex payrolls and staff reintegration procedures. The agency is now calling for a legislative exemption to strip away these corporate duties so patients can focus purely on their care.

Dutch pump prices have fallen to a three-month low as renewed hopes for peace in the Middle East cool global oil markets. The price of diesel dropped by nearly 3 per cent to 2.274 euros per litre, while petrol eased to 2.457 euros, moving further away from the historic record highs recorded in May. However, despite a month of steady declines, motorists continue to pay roughly 20 cents more per litre than they did before the outbreak of regional conflict in February.

A large share of young workers want to work more hours but are limited by part-time contracts. Research shows this untapped potential equals nearly 120,000 full-time jobs. The gap is especially visible in sectors already facing staff shortages.

The average WOZ value of homes in the Netherlands has increased again, reaching €439,000 in 2026. While values continue to rise across all municipalities, growth is slower than the peak seen in 2023. Differences between regions remain significant, with Laren the highest and Heerlen the lowest.

Vion will sell its Food Service Business to Group of Butchers as it continues to shift its focus to the Benelux. The deal includes Salomon Foodworld and two German production sites, while the Leeuwarden plant remains outside the sale. The move follows several years of losses and a broader restructuring effort.

Dutch goods exports grew by 4.4 per cent in April, driven mainly by higher exports of petroleum products, machinery, and transport equipment. Imports also increased, though at a slower pace. Export conditions remain weak due to falling German industrial output and declining producer confidence.

The number of corporate bankruptcies in the Netherlands fell by 19 per cent year-on-year in May, with 287 companies declared insolvent compared to 353 during the same month last year. The national bankruptcy rate dropped to 7.7 failures per 100,000 businesses, down from 9.6 a year earlier, with the transport and storage sector suffering the highest relative losses at 22.6 failures. While business closures had been rising steadily up until 2024, the latest figures confirm that the national bankruptcy rate has stabilised and maintained a gradual downward trend since the autumn of 2024.