Dutch less worried about their finances, most pessimistic about the future

Fewer people in the Netherlands are worried about their finances, and more think they have it good in the country. But concerns about politics and the future of the Netherlands remain very high, according to RTL Nieuws’s annual Budget Day survey among its panel.

This year, around 80 percent of Dutch people think that we are doing well in the Netherlands, compared to 73 percent two years ago. The proportion of people with financial worries dropped significantly in the same period, from 41 to 30 percent. Though there are still significant differences between income levels. 40 percent of people with lower incomes still worry about their financial future.

While many are less worried about their personal situations, the vast majority of the Dutch are worried about the future of the Netherlands. Nearly 90 percent are pessimistic about the future.

According to researcher Gijs Rademaker, these concerns are largely related to the low level of trust in politics. Only 11 percent of respondents trust the members of parliament. That is much lower than the level of trust in other institutions and professional groups. Trust in doctors (92%), police (79%), scientists (77%), and judges (70%) is all much higher. Even the monarchy (63%) and financial institutions (51%) enjoy a majority trust.

Almost all Dutch are worried about the housing market (96 percent). 88 percent don’t think the asylum policy is working well, 80 percent worry about crime, and 78 percent worry about the elderly. Seven in ten worry about the nitrogen issue and healthcare. And with the low level of trust in parliament, most don’t expect these issues to be addressed in the coming years.