Consumer confidence in the Netherlands improved to -34 in August 2026 from -35 in July, marking the highest reading since March but remaining well below its long-term average of -12 over the past 20 years. The improvement was mainly driven by a less negative assessment of the economic climate, which rose to -57 from -59, as consumers became less pessimistic about both the economic situation over the past 12 months and expectations for the year ahead. Willingness to buy remained unchanged at -19. Consumers were slightly more negative about their financial situation, with the assessment of the past 12 months falling to -16 from -15 and expectations for the next 12 months declining to -3 from -2. However, views on the timing of major purchases improved, with the balance rising to -37 from -40. Despite the modest improvement, confidence remained well below its long-term average and far below the record high of +36 reached in January 2000.