Dutch household consumption rises by 1.2 % in January, Statistics Netherlands reports

Household consumption in the Netherlands grew by 1.2 percent in January compared to the same month in 2024, according to new data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) published Friday. Consumers spent more on both goods and services.

The CBS figures are adjusted for price changes and variations in shopping days to provide a more accurate reflection of consumption volume. The CBS Consumption Radar indicates that conditions for household spending improved in February compared to January.

Spending on food and luxury items rose by 3.2 percent in January, adjusted for inflation. Consumers also purchased 1.5 percent more durable goods than a year earlier, with notable increases in clothing, footwear, and home-related products. However, spending on other goods, including energy and motor fuels, fell by 0.5 percent compared to January 2024.

Households also spent 0.9 percent more on services, which make up more than half of all domestic consumer spending. Increased expenditures were recorded in transportation and communication, as well as hospitality, recreation, and culture.

According to the February Consumption Radar, overall conditions for household spending were more favorable than in January. This improvement was mainly due to increased optimism among businesses regarding workforce expansion.

CBS also tracks economic conditions influencing consumption through its Consumption Radar. Factors such as consumer expectations, labor market trends, and financial asset development are closely linked to spending patterns.