With the availability of the fourth quarter data, the first preliminary growth figure for the economy in 2025 is also known. The GDP grew by 1.9 percent last year. Exports and consumption by the government and households contributed the most to this growth.
All figures in this message concern volume figures. This means they have been adjusted for price changes.
The export of goods and services increased by 1.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of 2025. Especially the export of petroleum products, machinery, and transport equipment increased. The export of services slightly decreased. The import of goods and services increased by 0.6 percent less. As a result, the trade balance (exports – imports) contributed most positively to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Government consumption increased by 1.1 percent. The government spent more on healthcare and wages and salaries. Household consumption increased by 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. Households spent more on food products. Investments in fixed assets decreased by 0.1 percent compared to the third quarter. This is mainly due to a decrease in investments in airplanes.
In agriculture, the added value (the difference between production and consumption of energy, materials, and services) increased the most in the fourth quarter among sectors (2.5 percent). Although the added value of the government and healthcare sector grew less strongly, with 0.6 percent, this sector made the largest contribution to economic growth in the fourth quarter. Next was the industry (mainly the machinery industry).
The economy grew by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. With the availability of the fourth quarter data, the first preliminary growth figure for 2025 is also known. The GDP grew by 1.9 percent last year. This is more than in 2024, when the economy grew by 1.1 percent. The average growth over the past 30 years was approximately 2.0 percent per year.
Exports of goods and services grew by 2.6 percent. The increase in imports was slightly less at 2.5 percent. The trade balance therefore contributed positively to growth in 2025. Government consumption was 2.6 percent higher, household consumption 1.4 percent. Investments were 0.5 percent higher than in 2024. The industry, trade, and healthcare and public administration sectors made the largest contributions to economic growth in 2025.
The first calculation, 30 days after the end of a quarter, is published based on the information available at that time. This gives CBS a first picture of the state of the Dutch economy. After this first calculation, more information about the Dutch economy becomes continuously available, which is then processed in new calculations. The second calculation of economic growth will be announced by CBS on Thursday, March 26.
The absolute adjustment of the second calculation compared to the first calculation was on average 0.1 percentage points over the past five years (2020-2024). The two extremes were -0.4 and 0.7 percentage points, respectively in 2024 and 2021.
With each new calculation, CBS also determines the new seasonally adjusted figures of the previously published quarters. The growth figures of the previous 3 quarters of 2025 have not been adjusted.
