Nearly 75% of Dutch entrepreneurs face rising economic uncertainty

Almost 75% of Dutch business owners faced greater economic uncertainty last year, largely driven by shifts in market demand, geopolitical events, and national policy, according to research by Statistics Netherlands.

The leading cause cited was shifts in market demand, such as from competition, affecting more than 37% of respondents. Almost 30% of entrepreneurs highlighted international geopolitical events, like wars and trade disputes, as a key factor in rising uncertainty, while over 22% attributed it to domestic policies or regulations.

Statistics Netherlands noted that the level of economic uncertainty differed sharply across sectors. Around 80% of entrepreneurs in transport and storage, wholesale and trade mediation, agriculture, and the industrial sector reported higher uncertainty, while those in car sales and business services were less affected, with about 65% feeling the impact.

Over 60% of business owners have responded to rising uncertainty by, for example, delaying or cutting investments and strengthening financial reserves. Measures were especially common among entrepreneurs in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

The study was carried out by Statistics Netherlands in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the Economic Institute for Construction (EIB), and the business associations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland.