About 80% of the Dutch are satisfied with their financial situation despite low confidence.
Nearly four out of five people in the Netherlands say they are satisfied with their financial situation, according to new figures from the national statistics agency CBS. The annual survey for 2024 showed that 79% of participants expressed satisfaction with their financial situation, compared to 77% in 2023 and only 68% in 2013.
There has also been an improvement in the feeling of confidence towards the future. More than half of the participants (54%) said they are not worried about their future financial situation, up from 40% ten years ago. This increase reflects a steady progress over the past decade, with only a temporary setback during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in energy prices after the war in Ukraine.
However, not everyone feels equally reassured. Low-income families are still more concerned about their financial stability. Among the lowest 25% income group, 37.7% expressed severe concern about the future, while only 17% of those with higher incomes said the same. Single parents were generally less satisfied, with only 61% expressing satisfaction compared to 85% of couples without children.
Housing status plays an important role in financial outlook. Tenants receiving huurtoeslag (housing allowance) showed much higher levels of concern than homeowners. 37% of beneficiaries of this allowance reported feeling recurring anxiety about their financial future, compared to only 21% of homeowners. However, this shows an improvement among tenants, as the percentage decreased from 46% in 2023.
According to CBS chief economist Peter Hein van Mulligen, strong wage growth has helped offset high inflation in recent years, making most wage earners feel better about their situation. However, consumer confidence remains weak. Van Mulligen told NOS: "It's very strange. People are spending more and are more satisfied with their financial situation, yet confidence is not growing."