Consumer confidence in the Netherlands rose one point to -33 in September 2026 from -34 in August, according to a survey published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on 22 September. The indicator balances positive and negative answers about the economy, personal finances and whether it is a good time to make major purchases. It is not a growth rate or a measure of purchase volume. CBS defines a range from -100 to +100. Despite the improvement, the reading remained well below the long-term average of -12 over the past twenty years.

The slight increase in the headline score did not mean every component moved in the same direction. The economic-climate indicator fell from -57 in August to -58 in September. Respondents became slightly more negative about both the past twelve months and the outlook for the next twelve months. By contrast, willingness to buy improved from -19 to -17. Consumers’ views of the general economy weakened while the component related to purchasing decisions became less negative. These components are not interchangeable.

Answers within willingness to buy also differed. Households’ financial outlook for the next twelve months moved from -3 in August to zero in September, while their assessment of personal finances over the previous twelve months remained at -16. The balance on whether it was a good time to make large purchases improved from -37 to -35. These scores summarize the balance between positive and negative responses. A value closer to zero does not mean that every respondent is positive.

The confidence indicator is a monthly survey measure adjusted for seasonal effects. CBS says it asks people each month about the economy, their financial situation and the timing of major purchases. Responses can help interpret spending sentiment, but they do not measure how much households actually spent. A one-month score change does not by itself confirm higher consumption, increased retail sales or the start of an economic recovery. Household behaviour is also influenced by income, prices, interest rates, labour-market conditions and individual circumstances.

The September 2026 score was well below the record high of +36 in January 2000, but above the lows of -59 in September and October 2022. Those historical extremes provide context for the current -33; they are not a target or forecast for next month. The CBS series helps track the direction and level of consumer sentiment, but it does not describe every household or show that the whole population shares one view. It is a composite indicator derived from survey responses for a defined period.