Dutch citizens trust local government more than national, but lack of awareness threatens confidence
While 64% of Dutch citizens rate their municipal government positively, many remain unaware of its workings. This gap in knowledge could erode trust, especially if scandals or bad experiences arise. With local elections approaching, transparency and engagement are key to maintaining public confidence.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Satisfaction with local gov | 64% (score of 6 or higher) |
| Satisfaction with national gov | 34% (score of 6 or higher) |
| Trust in local problem-solving | Over 50% give a passing grade |
| Trust in transparency | Only 38% give a passing grade for openness about mistakes |
| Survey participants | 2,393 (ongoing research) + 1,220 (December 2025 one-time survey) |
| Research period | July 2021 – October 2025 |
| Municipal elections | March 18, 2026 |
The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) monitors public sentiment on governance, providing insights to policymakers. Its findings help shape strategies to improve trust in local and national institutions, particularly ahead of elections.
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Lack of awareness about local politics poses a risk to trust in municipal government
Dutch people have a more positive view of local politics than of national politics, but they know little about what their municipal government actually does. This lack of awareness is a risk: the currently positive opinions could easily turn negative if there is little change, for example due to a personal bad experience or a local scandal. This is evident from the latest edition of the Continuous Research on Citizen Perspectives, *Citizen Perspectives 2026 Report 1 | Public Sentiment*, by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), published three weeks before the municipal elections on March 18.
More positive about local than national politics
The SCP examined the reliability and legitimacy of local politics. The research shows that 64% of Dutch people are satisfied with their municipal government (a six or higher), compared to only 34% for national politics. People are more positive about how well the municipal government understands local sentiment, carefully weighs interests, and solves local problems. More than half of the Dutch population gives a six or higher for these aspects. For the government, this is less than 40%. However, people are critical of how open the municipal government is about its mistakes or whether it acts out of self-interest. Only 38% and 46%, respectively, give a passing grade for these issues.
Lack of awareness about local politics
While people are more inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to local politics than to national politics, many are unfamiliar with what their municipal government does and have little interest in local politics: “I think it’s going fine, I don’t really know what these people are actually doing.” (woman, 27, WO).
Lack of awareness is a risk for reliable local governance
This lack of awareness carries risks. First, it raises the question of whether residents can effectively hold the municipality accountable if it fails to function properly. Second, the mildly positive opinions about local governance could easily turn negative, for example due to a bad personal experience or a local scandal. Third, the lack of awareness makes it difficult for local politicians and administrators to demonstrate their reliability. Reliable governance is important at both the national and local levels. To achieve this, politicians must be open to what people want, carefully weigh interests, be competent and honest, explain their choices, and communicate the pros and cons. Local politicians and administrators must not only strive to be responsive, fair, and effective, but also make extra efforts to show that they are doing so.
Josje den Ridder, researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Social Research:
“This can be done, for example, by demonstrating reliability in direct contact with residents (such as when people apply for a passport, when changes are made to their living environment, or when implementing high-impact local policies like the arrival of an asylum seekers' center), or by actively reaching out to residents, even after the municipal elections.”
About the research
The Continuous Research on Citizen Perspectives (COB) by the SCP has been examining Dutch sentiment about society and politics since 2008. This is done through large-scale surveys with both closed and open questions. This edition is based on ongoing research from *Netherlands in View* conducted between July 2021 and October 2025 (with 2,393 participants in the final survey) and a one-time survey in December 2025 (with 1,220 participants).