Entrepreneurs expect to invest more in 2026 than this year. However, they saw their profitability decline last quarter and business confidence remains negative. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the Economic Institute for Construction (EIB), MKB-Nederland, and VNO-NCW based on the Netherlands Business Cycle Survey.

On balance, over 3 percent of entrepreneurs expect to invest more in 2026. Entrepreneurs in the real estate sector expect this most often with a net 25 percent. Nine sectors expect to invest more, while the other three expect to invest less. In culture, sports and recreation, and retail, entrepreneurs expect to invest more, whereas last year they expected a decrease. In agriculture, forestry and fisheries, hospitality, and information and communication, entrepreneurs expect to invest less in 2026.

October 2024